That Doesn't Sell Books

"This is America, where a white Catholic male Republican judge was murdered on his way to greet a Democratic Jewish woman member of Congress, who was his friend. Her life was saved initially by a 20-year old Mexican-American gay college student, and eventually by a Korean-American combat surgeon, all eulogized by our African American President."

Mark Shields
PBS News Hour

What's Good For Business Is...

...tort reform legislation:

"This important part of our special session legislation sends a message directly to job creators that Wisconsin is open for business."

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker


“These reforms will add certainty, fairness and predictability to our legal system. Our business climate has lagged other states, and we are making dramatic progress to turn that around in less than a month. The signing of these reforms is a monumental step towards making Wisconsin the most competitive state in the nation. These reforms should get national attention for Wisconsin, and encourage businesses here to create jobs and encourage businesses in other states to come to Wisconsin because we’re open for business.”

James A. Buchen
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
Vice president of government relations

Who Would Have Thunk It?

The weak economy and fresh tax cuts approved last month will help drive the federal budget deficit to $1.5 trillion this year, the biggest budget gap in history and one of the largest as a share of the economy since World War II, congressional budget analysts said Wednesday.

And Now For Something Completely Different...Skiing

Here we are with near record snow levels in the middle of January and I have only been out downhill skiing once so far. As for cross-country skiing, my skis are down from the garage rafter but I haven't been out making tracks yet. I'm hoping that will all change this weekend and I can do both.

I usually go to Afton Alps and try to make it to Welch Village at least once a season. As a matter of fact, this will make 45 years since I spent the money I got for my ninth birthday to go to Afton Alps. I think they had been open for one year.

Wearing hunting boots and bear-trap bindings, visions of Billy Kidd salmoned in my head as I made my way down Christina's Trail for the first time. I only fell down twice on my first run. I was quite proud of my accomplishment.

I got my first skis from Santa at four. They were basically wooden slats painted red with a leather toe strap. They worked for me on those mighty hills at Prospect Park at the top of the hill in Hudson. The good old days filled with great memories!

Check out the picture below. That is of some guy bombing the hills at Trollhaugen 50+ years ago. In fact, Brenda Bredahl, a Hudson writer, has been running a series of stories about history of skiing in the region in the Hudson Patch. The Patch is a new, local online news and information service covering Hudson and the surrounding area.

Check out The Patch

Below are two links to the first two parts of Brenda's stories:



Part 1: December's Record Snow Brings Winter Memories

Part 2: December's Record Snow Brings Winter Memories

PS: There are some really amazing photos that go with these articles. Stay tuned for Part 3.

Ayn Rand Speaks to Conservatives

Ayn Rand on Religion

Obviously, Palin Is To Blame For This!

"A 20-year-old Brooklyn man was charged Saturday with shooting five teens outside a high school basketball game nine days ago, cops said.

Police arrested Keenen Upson at his home in Fort Greene Saturday morning, his mother told the Daily News.

"They're saying he shot those kids," said the woman, who would only identify herself as Upson's mother. "I don't know what's happening yet. I think I need to talk to my lawyer."

Upson was charged with multiple counts of assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the Jan. 14 shooting outside Bishop Loughlin Memorial near Greene and Vanderbilt Aves., cops said.

One of the wounded teens, Justin Dolcy, 19, told the Daily News at the time the gunman was after his pricey Louis Vuitton hat.

Dolcy and the four other wounded teens, including an 18-year-old woman, were shot in the legs, arms and hips, cops said. They were treated at Kings County Hospital and released..."

Read more...