Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke
You gotta understand
It's just our bringin' up-ke
That gets us out of hand
Our mothers all are junkies
Our fathers all are drunks
Golly Moses, natcherly we're punks!
Gee, Officer Krupke, we're very upset;
We never had the love that every child oughta get
We ain't no delinquents
We're misunderstood
Deep down inside us there is good!
There is good!
There is good, there is good
There is untapped good!
Like inside, the worst of us is good!
From West Side Story
This week in the WSJ Jason Riley wrote an opinion piece "Bloomberg Grovels Over Stop and Frisk".
In the article Mr. Riley, who happens to be black, argues that given the overwhelming success the program had in reducing the murder rate in NY City that in fact it was a means of saving thousands of Black lives. Mr Riley observed that in his opinion the murder and crime rate dropped like a rock from the program and Mr Bloomberg should not apologize for the program (which apparently he has).
Now I am not sure one can attribute it all to stop and frisk, but the article stirred an interesting memory from my adolescent years. It is a story I do not think I shared with anyone that I can recall, not even with my "faithful and Obedient Companion". It has also induced me reflect on both the current societal views on police use of perceived intimidation and the effectiveness of "community policing". However, before I relate this incident I have to first share my childhood memories of my father and what I personally observed running errands with him in the Philadelphia neighborhood known as "Kensington".
You all might recall the movie "Rocky" which was filmed on location in Kensington, which in the 50's 60's and early 70's was a tough white working class neighborhood. ( In fact, I was a member of a Boys Scout troop in this neighborhood and as a result had many friends there even though it was pretty far from my own neighborhood. How that happened is a story I will not bore you with) Anyway, my father walked the beat in Kensington in his first years on the force.
As a young child I would often go with my dad to his old "beat" where he was well known and was friends with many of the merchants there. At Woodsie's gas station he would have his car worked on and he bought his beer at the Kensington beer distributor. When possible he had family prescriptions filled at the drugstore at Frankford and Allegheny Avenues, which was incidentally where my boy scout troop was located. All of these merchants were an integral part of the community. At each of them the owners awed me with stories of my Dad as I sat and listened to them chat. You see in those days he was seen as a regular member of the neighborhood. When he had walked the beat if their kids "got out of line" he did not run them in to the station....he dragged them home to their parents. Often after whacking them with a nightstick on the ass. He was not hated for this why? Well he also coached the local PAL baseball team, one which I played on one year. He always felt he was a part of that community. Naturally these stories highly influenced my perception of "what a good cop was".
My father eventually went on to work in Juvenile aid (a job that affected him severely, seeing the lasting damage caused by kids from broken homes). He eventually moved on and became a detective working in Center City, the Vice Squad and then Major Theft. Ultimately he became the head of the Mayor of Philadelphia's security detail. I could tell lot's of humorous stories about that...like getting a job painting the Mayor's row house, or the time my younger sister "borrowed" the Mayors city owned limo to joy ride with her friends.!
All this background is needed because it relates to my story and my Observations. A story I now share for the first time.
As a sophomore in high school I was hanging out on a street corner near our church with a couple of friends. Low and behold a black and white pulled up and two police officers jump out, yelling at us to get the "f" in the car. We then and proceed to drive around the neighborhood with them telling us this was their neighborhood and we better remember that. They even pounded their nightsticks on the car seats in a very threatening way. Needless to say my two friends were scared shitless but my own reaction was very calm and polite, saying yes officer etc. No doubt my attitude at the time was likely because I had some sense that if I actually told my father this story, especially if they somehow hurt us, he and the mayor might get really pissed off. After about 10 minutes of verbal harassment they dropped us off a few blocks away with a "remember we are always watching". I never told my dad or anyone else the story.
So now to my Observations;
First my own attitudes about police where set at a very young age through a very "jaded lens". It was very difficult at the time (and still is) to see police as my "enemy" even when being harassed. But my two friends likely had a very different perspective. Cops jumping out of cars instead of stopping and chatting as they "walked the beat" every day seem much less a part of "the neighborhood. Personally I see the former as much more effective.
Second efforts to make the police seen as part of the neighborhood seem to have failed particularly among many of our "big city" police departments. Even as crime has dropped since the late 90's. Perhaps if parents of young juveniles had their kids dragged home for minor offenses instead of booked we might see more cooperation. However the problem is in most inner city homes these days is "who would be there to drag them home too"?
Third the pervasive drug culture has turned delinquents into hard core criminals at an early age.
Finally this, there is no doubt there are some very "bad cops" (though in my heart I believe the vast majority are not). Even back then I knew a few and so did my Dad. I often wondered in private whatever became of those two cops who picked us up that day. If they were bad apples maybe I should have told him. Interestingly when Frank Rizzo became mayor he asked my Father to head up his security detail. My father turned him down and retired. Why? He felt Rizzo was a fascist. He told me he had to retire because by turning him down his career as a police officer was over. Yet so many "Pro-Police" people thought he was great. Go figure.
At any rate and regardless of the reasons it saddens me to see our society at odds on this issue. We need police, and we need their work to effectively improve our lives. When large portions of society view them as the enemy we are all diminished.
With that I bid you adieu.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Medicare for All ?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four
When I'm sixty-four
The Beatles
What a great Beatles comment to kick off a difficult topic to cover on this post. Why difficult? Well for several reasons
- First the topic is in some ways connected to what I touched on in "senior discounts" that drew some interesting dialogue. Now I will be confront all of us seniors on a more serious entitlement issue.
- When talking about "caring" for our fellow citizens, friends, relatives and even and one's self, the topic can be very personal.
- As one who believes in limited government can I watch people I am close to and care for suffer because of my concerns for future generations.
- Can any of us think rationally about abstract ideas versus personal realities.
A couple of weeks ago a good friend of ours in Stowe was describing the cost of his prescription medications (which could be a whole other topic). He has suffered a great deal recently, losing a son and having his partner battle breast cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and is on hormone therapy which has not only been successful in extending his life for several years but has also helped to maintain the quality of his life as well. Until recently he skied and played golf, even though he is past 80! However, hormone therapy is not a cure, and it now showing signs of ineffectiveness. His ultimate outcome is inevitable but honestly so are all of our outcomes. But there is no doubt if I were in his shoes I would likely taken the exact steps he has to extend meaningful life.
Now the flip side, while discussing his therapy he mentioned the cocktail of drugs enabling him to carry on runs about $8,000 per month. This naturally led to a discussion about healthcare for all which he and his wife supported, using there own experiences as an example. When you are in such a conversation.....how do you even begin to discuss "affordability" when public funds are paying almost $100,000 per year (just for drugs) to keep your over 80 plus year old friend not just alive but active? The answer is you nod, shut up, and eat your dinner.
Now the flip side, while discussing his therapy he mentioned the cocktail of drugs enabling him to carry on runs about $8,000 per month. This naturally led to a discussion about healthcare for all which he and his wife supported, using there own experiences as an example. When you are in such a conversation.....how do you even begin to discuss "affordability" when public funds are paying almost $100,000 per year (just for drugs) to keep your over 80 plus year old friend not just alive but active? The answer is you nod, shut up, and eat your dinner.
That dinner "non" conversation got tucked away in my head but was "rekindled" when fellow blogger John Delnegro sent me an article about the Massachusetts legislature passing a measure that would tax employer's to fund universal 6 month family leave for new parents of working people in his Commonwealth. While in theory the measure will be self funding ( so was medicare) I agreed with his thoughts about how it might impact families "negatively" in the long run, thoughts I may discuss in some future blog. However it made me think about how we have turned "topsy turvy" on our spending "priorities". Spending huge sums of money, we have not funded, on a generation that is about to leave, and leaving the bill to those infant's and cohorts who frankly are societies future hope.
Many of you likely think, Huh?-"Topsy Turvy" Jim? I paid my fair share into to SS and Medicare so I could be secure in my old age!
Now I am aware that the financial resources of those reading this blog varies significantly as does their state of health and family resources. Most of you are seniors. Furthermore all of us seniors have planned our retirements with SS and Medicare in mind and there is no real alternative "post facto" way to catch up for most. I have heard the arguments from many fellow seniors that "we put money in" and that "promises were made" but In my mind this is generationally self serving and in a way a cop out. Unfortunately that mindset has been firmly set in our society, and has now been passed down in spades to our progeny.
Many of you likely think, Huh?-"Topsy Turvy" Jim? I paid my fair share into to SS and Medicare so I could be secure in my old age!
Now I am aware that the financial resources of those reading this blog varies significantly as does their state of health and family resources. Most of you are seniors. Furthermore all of us seniors have planned our retirements with SS and Medicare in mind and there is no real alternative "post facto" way to catch up for most. I have heard the arguments from many fellow seniors that "we put money in" and that "promises were made" but In my mind this is generationally self serving and in a way a cop out. Unfortunately that mindset has been firmly set in our society, and has now been passed down in spades to our progeny.
The fact is as a generation we did not put enough money away to fulfill these "promises" to ourselves. We were simply going to use a giant credit card, die, then pass the bill along to the kids. We are have passed on another thing to our kids in the process the idea that we are all entitled to spend whatever it costs to keep us alive and healthy in our "retirement". Is there any wonder why more and more young people are attracted to Universal Health Care and Medicare for all? Our generation perfected the art of "creative accounting" and the social concept that everyone is entitled to be kept alive at whatever it costs. Collectively we accepted all kinds of financial assumptions, virtually all unrealistic. One of the biggest assumptions was a growing population and then most of us did not even contribute demographically enough "kids" to foot the bill. I admit I lived in the same glass house.
For years now we consistently voted for increased entitlements but all along we really knew that we would end up leaving the buffet before paying the bill. So now what? Many politicians want to open the buffet to even more!
For years now we consistently voted for increased entitlements but all along we really knew that we would end up leaving the buffet before paying the bill. So now what? Many politicians want to open the buffet to even more!
Our sense of entitlement has been passed on in spades. Many young people (and a few older as well) talk about universal healthcare, free college, free day care and on it goes. We boomers need to look in the mirror whenever we complain about the candidates running for office. Directly or indirectly they are products of our creation. Both Democrats and Republicans bear responsibility. Hey for sure Warren and Bernie are great examples of left wing lunacy but please, our current President went to Florida to talk about how great Medicare is!
Republicans continue to hide behind "fiscal responsibility", while they fail to really address costs where needed to get votes, they cut taxes ....to get votes.
Democrats on the other hand want to spend trillions we don't have buy raising taxes to an ungodly amount to in theory "pay for it" (it won't)....to get votes.
Republicans continue to hide behind "fiscal responsibility", while they fail to really address costs where needed to get votes, they cut taxes ....to get votes.
Democrats on the other hand want to spend trillions we don't have buy raising taxes to an ungodly amount to in theory "pay for it" (it won't)....to get votes.
Face it tough love can work both ways. Maybe we seniors need to begin to address this by looking at some tough self love, with less spending on those on the way out so we can help future generations pay the cost. I understand all too well that this is a difficult question...after all we still are on huge bloc of voters with a very "vested interest" in the status quo. Remember that ad that showed "granny" being pushed of a cliff in a wheelchair, and the idea of "death panels"? In this environment these are unlikely winning platforms. However, somehow some way something has to give. Our National credit card ultimately has limits.
This blog has taken weeks to get published because frankly I see no "easy way" out. Perhaps some of you differ, or have some thoughts of your own. I promise any opinion is welcome.
With that I bid you
This blog has taken weeks to get published because frankly I see no "easy way" out. Perhaps some of you differ, or have some thoughts of your own. I promise any opinion is welcome.
With that I bid you
Adieu
PS I wrote this weeks ago but have been reluctant to publish because I have no "recommendation" , however if i don't "publish" I'll never move on to more pleasant thoughts,
PSS Thanks John for asking "Where has Murray Been". It forced my to sh--t or get off the pot
PS I wrote this weeks ago but have been reluctant to publish because I have no "recommendation" , however if i don't "publish" I'll never move on to more pleasant thoughts,
PSS Thanks John for asking "Where has Murray Been". It forced my to sh--t or get off the pot
Monday, September 30, 2019
Be True to Your School and other Memories
Fight on for Frankford
Come on Hit that Line
Go, Go, Go
Fight on for Frankford
Victory every time
Rah, Rah, Rah
All hail her colors
see them in the sky
Red, blue and gold we're with you
Fight Frankford High
Dada, Dada, Dada, Dada
Hurrah
Dada, Dada, Dada. Dada
Hurrah
dada, dada, dada, dada
Repeat First Stanza
Frankford High "Fight Song"
Many of you are aware that "My Faithful and Obedient Companion " and I attended my 50th High School Reunion last Friday at the VFW Post in Warminster Pa. It was the first reunion I attended since my 20th back in 1989. We attended due to the persistence of one "Linda Schroder" who was a member of our reunion committee. She told me she had the dogged sense that I did not in fact "die" back in February of 1997 as shown on various "friend finder" sites (which have incorrectly associated my Father's death with my profile). As she told me on the phone she kept insisting that "Jimmie Roberts" cannot be dead!
I was frankly a bit leery of dragging poor Barbara back for the event, since I have not kept in touch with any High School friends (except two guys who I exchange Christmas cards with...and they were no shows) but what the heck, who could turn down a $35 per head buffet featuring Polish Kielbasa and $ 3.50 Yuengling drafts at the cash bar! So down to Pennsylvania we went.
I must admit I was surprised by the turnout, about 110 Grads attended out of a class of about 450.
Before making my "Observation" I will mention a few highlights from my perspective.
First, only a few of my fellow "football" teammates attended. But it was great to see Micheal Ray, our starting quarterback, and the first "Black" quarterback in Frankford history. When Linda contacted me about the reunion she had told me that Michael had surgery a few months ago that "left him paralyzed". I was relieved to learn from Michael that like my death" his paralysis was only "temporary" and that he was getting around ok with a walker and was likely to recover further. Michael and I chatted for quite some time reminiscing about our team. We recalled that we were "co-game captains" in our win against Edison and we each got a game ball afterwards (I still have mine in Winter Park). Also in attendance was Norm Armstrong his backup. Micheal got a kick when I mentioned how he was the starter because he was a lot smarter than Norm. As many of you might recall that at a sadder time in our social history "blacks" were often considered "not smart enough" to play quarterback. Michael certainly proved that was a crappy racial myth. It was for me a reminder that Michael was indeed a groundbreaker in his own right. Of course we talked about the highlight of our year - the "big" upset by Frankford in our Thanksgiving Day game against our neighborhood rival North Catholic High. They were going into the game "Catholic" League champions and went on to win the a title game two weeks later. We on the other hand had a dismal 3 -5-1 record going into the game. Of course neither of us choose to discuss some of our less "stellar" performances. in Public league play that year.
Of course not all was roses at the reunion.
First up was a girl I dated once in high school who followed my "Faithful and Obedient" around all evening. Shw continually shared tales of her daughters music career as church music director in Carlisle Pa. and how she and her husband could not afford to retire. At first this was all OK but really, not over and over again.
Then there was the rendition of the Frankford Fight song by aging cheerleaders that was both inspiring and yet a bit depressing.
Finally, like at all reunions everywhere I am sure, came the "guy" who now resides in Texas. He was dressed in a Cowboy hat and a spiffy three piece suit highlighted by a rhinestone "pistol" tie tac. He was accompanied by a much younger "asian" bride who smiled and giggled at his stories about elementary and high school. In retrospect I am not sure she even spoke english. Upon arrival -literally -he asked me to sign his yearbook-which I guess I failed to do when we graduated. Apparently he had harbored that bad memory for years!
But my real surprise memory story of the evening was by a guy I did not recall at all and who was not even in our graduating class, but which leads me to my final "Observation" about memories. This one harkened way back to an incident in elementary school.
At the very end of the evening as people were beginning to leave my "Faithful and Obedient Companion" said "Jim...you remember David Mullen and Mary Flanagan don't you"? I did remember Mary, she was a classmate of mine, but no one I was ever really "friendly" with. Barbara then said "This is her Husband David" who was a classmate of mine (Meaning Barbara's), and he also dated your sister Ethel for awhile". Frankly I did not remember him at all. Apparently he was a couple years behind me at both Frankford and at my elementary school H.R. Edmunds. My sister Ethel I guess dated him after I went away to college.
OK so where does this lead??
Well suddenly "David" proceeds to recall an incident I had long ago forgotten ...from 6th grade at "Edmunds" elementary school. He said one of his best memories from there was the day I fought "Jimmy Reggierio (sp?) in the schoolyard and I left him a very bloodied nose and lip and maybe a shattered ego? I forgot that Jimmy was always a wiseass bully everybody (especially younger kids like David) had hated. I then indeed remembered that whole scene when Jimmy decided to punch me in the gut for just "being" around his favorite spot. I hauled off and proceeded to land a few very effective punches back. I guess several younger kids had happily witnessed that scene. Who would have thought?
So my final Observation is this. Like stones throw in a pond that leaves ripples... one never realizes that even the strangest incidents can leave a lasting impression on others. Whether it be an unsigned yearbook slight or an elementary schoolyard brawl. Incidents we have long forgotten but have left memories that last a lifetime to those we meet along the way.
With that I bid you
Adieu
Come on Hit that Line
Go, Go, Go
Fight on for Frankford
Victory every time
Rah, Rah, Rah
All hail her colors
see them in the sky
Red, blue and gold we're with you
Fight Frankford High
Dada, Dada, Dada, Dada
Hurrah
Dada, Dada, Dada. Dada
Hurrah
dada, dada, dada, dada
Repeat First Stanza
Frankford High "Fight Song"
Many of you are aware that "My Faithful and Obedient Companion " and I attended my 50th High School Reunion last Friday at the VFW Post in Warminster Pa. It was the first reunion I attended since my 20th back in 1989. We attended due to the persistence of one "Linda Schroder" who was a member of our reunion committee. She told me she had the dogged sense that I did not in fact "die" back in February of 1997 as shown on various "friend finder" sites (which have incorrectly associated my Father's death with my profile). As she told me on the phone she kept insisting that "Jimmie Roberts" cannot be dead!
I was frankly a bit leery of dragging poor Barbara back for the event, since I have not kept in touch with any High School friends (except two guys who I exchange Christmas cards with...and they were no shows) but what the heck, who could turn down a $35 per head buffet featuring Polish Kielbasa and $ 3.50 Yuengling drafts at the cash bar! So down to Pennsylvania we went.
I must admit I was surprised by the turnout, about 110 Grads attended out of a class of about 450.
Before making my "Observation" I will mention a few highlights from my perspective.
First, only a few of my fellow "football" teammates attended. But it was great to see Micheal Ray, our starting quarterback, and the first "Black" quarterback in Frankford history. When Linda contacted me about the reunion she had told me that Michael had surgery a few months ago that "left him paralyzed". I was relieved to learn from Michael that like my death" his paralysis was only "temporary" and that he was getting around ok with a walker and was likely to recover further. Michael and I chatted for quite some time reminiscing about our team. We recalled that we were "co-game captains" in our win against Edison and we each got a game ball afterwards (I still have mine in Winter Park). Also in attendance was Norm Armstrong his backup. Micheal got a kick when I mentioned how he was the starter because he was a lot smarter than Norm. As many of you might recall that at a sadder time in our social history "blacks" were often considered "not smart enough" to play quarterback. Michael certainly proved that was a crappy racial myth. It was for me a reminder that Michael was indeed a groundbreaker in his own right. Of course we talked about the highlight of our year - the "big" upset by Frankford in our Thanksgiving Day game against our neighborhood rival North Catholic High. They were going into the game "Catholic" League champions and went on to win the a title game two weeks later. We on the other hand had a dismal 3 -5-1 record going into the game. Of course neither of us choose to discuss some of our less "stellar" performances. in Public league play that year.
Of course not all was roses at the reunion.
First up was a girl I dated once in high school who followed my "Faithful and Obedient" around all evening. Shw continually shared tales of her daughters music career as church music director in Carlisle Pa. and how she and her husband could not afford to retire. At first this was all OK but really, not over and over again.
Then there was the rendition of the Frankford Fight song by aging cheerleaders that was both inspiring and yet a bit depressing.
Finally, like at all reunions everywhere I am sure, came the "guy" who now resides in Texas. He was dressed in a Cowboy hat and a spiffy three piece suit highlighted by a rhinestone "pistol" tie tac. He was accompanied by a much younger "asian" bride who smiled and giggled at his stories about elementary and high school. In retrospect I am not sure she even spoke english. Upon arrival -literally -he asked me to sign his yearbook-which I guess I failed to do when we graduated. Apparently he had harbored that bad memory for years!
But my real surprise memory story of the evening was by a guy I did not recall at all and who was not even in our graduating class, but which leads me to my final "Observation" about memories. This one harkened way back to an incident in elementary school.
At the very end of the evening as people were beginning to leave my "Faithful and Obedient Companion" said "Jim...you remember David Mullen and Mary Flanagan don't you"? I did remember Mary, she was a classmate of mine, but no one I was ever really "friendly" with. Barbara then said "This is her Husband David" who was a classmate of mine (Meaning Barbara's), and he also dated your sister Ethel for awhile". Frankly I did not remember him at all. Apparently he was a couple years behind me at both Frankford and at my elementary school H.R. Edmunds. My sister Ethel I guess dated him after I went away to college.
OK so where does this lead??
Well suddenly "David" proceeds to recall an incident I had long ago forgotten ...from 6th grade at "Edmunds" elementary school. He said one of his best memories from there was the day I fought "Jimmy Reggierio (sp?) in the schoolyard and I left him a very bloodied nose and lip and maybe a shattered ego? I forgot that Jimmy was always a wiseass bully everybody (especially younger kids like David) had hated. I then indeed remembered that whole scene when Jimmy decided to punch me in the gut for just "being" around his favorite spot. I hauled off and proceeded to land a few very effective punches back. I guess several younger kids had happily witnessed that scene. Who would have thought?
So my final Observation is this. Like stones throw in a pond that leaves ripples... one never realizes that even the strangest incidents can leave a lasting impression on others. Whether it be an unsigned yearbook slight or an elementary schoolyard brawl. Incidents we have long forgotten but have left memories that last a lifetime to those we meet along the way.
With that I bid you
Adieu
Monday, September 16, 2019
True the Vote
When I first started to "Blog" Observations I stated the following in my very first blog:
"At least a few of you may want to join me in some interactive discussion with others via the blog.
So some of you are probably still thinking.......OK but can you give me some additional "meat" to these 4 bullets because if you find "interesting" a discussion of soil dynamics and fungal infections of the Brazilian rain forest you are likely "out (and if that prose is not witty to you consider that as well). So what does interest me? What is "Topical" Let me try to frame this out in a specific way.
What I find interesting includes social, economic, demographic and religious trends, and (yikes) of course politics.
Topical means my subject matter will be stimulated by something that catches my eye. While it may be a "news" item I hope it is more often from a specific personal observation that is stimulated by a personal event, or correspondence. Goodness knows we all get bombarded by news items on TV in newspapers and blogs even Facebook." from my introduction first blog post.
So, today's "Observations" have been stimulated in just such a way, prompted by a "Notice of Jury Duty" my "Faithful and Obedient Companion received last week from the Vermont District Court in Burlington to report for jury duty....despite the fact we left Vermont in several years ago to move to Salt Lake City. See notice:
Barbara proceeded to call the Jury Clerk who explained they used voter registration records to select jurors. She agreed to release her from serving but suggested we notify our Stowe Town government to "take her off" the registered voter list. Barbara explained that we were already taken off the resident tax rolls so we had to pay higher local real estate taxes but apparently that was not "good enough" . It seems these two local bureaucracies apparently do not talk to each other. So, for fun I checked some voter registration records on both of us.with similar results. I found we are currently registered to vote as follows:
Stowe Vermont-Yes
Winter Park Colorado-Yes
Utah- No we have been removed
Hmmm, how can this be?
Well I first remembered that in a previous post from way back I noted that when applying for a Utah Drivers License I was amazed at Utah's efficiency in virtually all things of governance, while I also mocked the Vermont DMV which "forgot" to give me a basic eye test. Kudos to Utah once again.
Then I started to wonder: "is there something about Vermont's voter rules that would be something besides pure incompetence"?
Now here is Vermont's actual voting rules on "voter ID"
If you’ve voted in Vermont before or if you’re voting for the first time and provided ID when you registered, you do not need to show ID to vote.
So it seemed clear to me that both of us could in fact vote here in Vermont still...despite having residence elsewhere. In fact maybe we could vote both in Colorado and Vermont in the next election. Hah but really...who would be so devious.
Well it so happened that this week we had a dinner at our Stowe place with several friends (one couple staunch Republicans-he is a town selectmen in Norwich Vermont, the other staunch Stowe democrats-remember my faithful and obedient and I thrive on diversity when we host dinner because despite our differences we are all friends). The Democrat gentlemen was born in Vermont and lived here his entire life, while his wife has lived here since 1972. When I broached this subject this couple immediately chimed in....first the wife who believed she knew where I was going and said "oh boy here goes our republican friends with the their usual complaint". Now actually my intent was to start a discussion about my favorite topic- Vermont's incompetence, not one about voter fraud. However suddenly (and I would add, interestingly) the husband got a sly smile on his face and proceeded to tell us he used to routinely vote twice, both in the City of Burlington where he was a resident and in his old hometown of Winoski . Now maybe he was kidding because he quickly added that all us Vermont Democrats know this loophole. However it was out of his revelation (kiddingly or not) that I began to wonder.
So I started some basic research on voter ID' laws around the country versus Vermont.
First here is a sample of from one of my favorite Vermont politicians on voter ID
Senator Bernie Sanders stance on voter ID laws:
So I started some basic research on voter ID' laws around the country versus Vermont.
First here is a sample of from one of my favorite Vermont politicians on voter ID
Senator Bernie Sanders stance on voter ID laws:
Voter ID Laws Bernie Sanders
"The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Tuesday said a new state law must be voided if would-be voters are denied easy access to photo ID cards needed to cast ballots. Sending the case back down to a trial judge, the justices said the law could stay in force only if the lower court finds there is no voter disenfranchisement. The Pennsylvania statute was one in a wave of voter ID laws intentionally designed to keep voters away from polls. Sen. Bernie Sanders has asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate what he called an "alarming number" of new state laws that would make it "significantly harder" for millions of eligible voters to cast ballots this November.
The GAO plans to release a report later this month detailing current voter registration requirements and voting laws in all 50 states and how these laws have changed over the past decade. A second GAO report will be issued next year analyzing the impact that these changes have had on voters' ability to exercise their voting rights."
Hmmm.Utah has voter ID requirements to help prevent fraud. For Senator Sanders this is a travesty. Now Utah may be "backwards" to Senator Sanders but for sure there is no doubt that people cannot vote "twice" for their favorite candidate.
OK so we know how Bernie feels versus Utah.
For those interested here is a website I could not cut and paste on: Voter ID Laws .
So now why is it that Republicans do tend to be "suspicious" about voter fraud and voter ID?
Hmm it seems that states like California, Oregon, New York and Illinois, and many "progressive states" have liberal ID laws. They like Vermont tend to elect Democrats.
So today's Observation is to simply ponder this, do such rules make a difference in our democracy? If so how? After all we all know how our political parties differ on this topic.
I, who tend to think the "best" of most of my fellow countrymen never really thought about it much.. But now that friend, a lifelong Vermonter, has made me wonder (even if he was just "pulling my chain") yes maybe it does. Perhaps Barbara and I should even start requesting a absentee ballot just for to "fun "! Unlikely for sure. Why? Well not only would it not change Stowe's (and certainly not Vermont's) results in any meaningful why , and we would also be obligated to report for Jury Duty when called!
For the rest of you I will let you ponder the issue and maybe share your thoughts as you see fit.
With that I bid you
Adieu
Hmmm.Utah has voter ID requirements to help prevent fraud. For Senator Sanders this is a travesty. Now Utah may be "backwards" to Senator Sanders but for sure there is no doubt that people cannot vote "twice" for their favorite candidate.
OK so we know how Bernie feels versus Utah.
For those interested here is a website I could not cut and paste on: Voter ID Laws .
So now why is it that Republicans do tend to be "suspicious" about voter fraud and voter ID?
Hmm it seems that states like California, Oregon, New York and Illinois, and many "progressive states" have liberal ID laws. They like Vermont tend to elect Democrats.
So today's Observation is to simply ponder this, do such rules make a difference in our democracy? If so how? After all we all know how our political parties differ on this topic.
I, who tend to think the "best" of most of my fellow countrymen never really thought about it much.. But now that friend, a lifelong Vermonter, has made me wonder (even if he was just "pulling my chain") yes maybe it does. Perhaps Barbara and I should even start requesting a absentee ballot just for to "fun "! Unlikely for sure. Why? Well not only would it not change Stowe's (and certainly not Vermont's) results in any meaningful why , and we would also be obligated to report for Jury Duty when called!
For the rest of you I will let you ponder the issue and maybe share your thoughts as you see fit.
With that I bid you
Adieu
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Book Clubs
You May live in a marble palace dear
on a throne that was built just for you
you may live in a tent in the far Orient
or a vine covered cottage for two
You may spend your life as a gypsy's wife
Or live in a French Chateau
but the love that is true
is waiting for you
In a Phi Delt Bungalow.
Phi Delta Theta "Love"Song
Song at all Phi Delt weddings...including ours
A few years back my Faithful and Obedient Companion along with three other couples formed "Chapter 2 Book Club". Like most such "Clubs" we agreed to each read several books per year and then we would meet and discuss at two dinner meetings held during those months we all would be back in Stowe.
Recently, over two seperate nights, we gathered for drinks, dinner and discussion at two of the couples homes the four books assigned for 2019. These books were Bunker Hill, South Sea Vagabond, A Gentlemen from Moscow and Brave New World.
Now this blog post is not meant to be a review of our discussions of these books . Instead it is an Observation about how people with divergent life experiences, world views and even strong differences in political thought, can sit down and share their experience in meaningful ways. Of course it is also fascinating to just to learn just how interesting and different all our lives have been. One such story from our book club comes to mind.
In discussing Bunker Hill we got into the subject of how "Unique" the American experience is based on those who first settled our country. We explored the difference between the British settlements in Canada and the 13 colonies and how different the governance of those two British settlements had been. We then discussed the British Military mindset versus the Colonial Militia. Which leads me to share a most fascinating experience of one of our group, who wanted to specifically relate to the British Military mindset. Interesting particularly since three of our eight members were once Canadians (including "Peter" who moved to Canada before becoming a US citizen).
Peter was originally a Brit whose Father had been a Mason on the Suez Canal when WW 2 broke out. When the Germans threatened North Africa he, his brother and his mother fled to safety in South Africa, traveling overland through Africa to escape the German Invasion., a story I had known from past golf discussions. What I did not know is that he ultimately joined the British Military at age 19, was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and was immediately stationed in the British colony of Gambia to head up a garrison of Gambians. He told us how one of his duties was to head up the motor pool despite the fact that he had never driven a car. In fact his Gambian troops had to teach him to drive!
Apparently in the waning years of British Colonial rule in Africa two Gambian tribes got into a conflict and Peter was dispatched to somehow settle the dispute at that ripe old age of 19. He proceeded to explain how he had no idea what his small group of troops could do to prevent an open conflict but it was his "duty" to travel up-river to the town where this conflict was breaking out and stop potential bloodshed. (Apparently one tribe wanted to grow rice in the river while the other tribe wanted the river for fishing. and open warfare was about to break out.) When he arrived with his small contingent of troops he simply decided that he and his Gambian recruits would march back and forth through the town, band playing and banners waving in a show of "force", which he admitted he had no idea would work. Fortunately for him (and his troops) this show of "force' was enough and he went on to spend some interesting times living a life of leisure in a bungalow by the beach in Gambia during the last years of British rule in Africa.
As I listened enthralled by Peter's story all I could do was remember what I was doing at age 19. Drinking beer and listening to Double Shot of my Baby's Love at Lafayette (or even singing about life in a Phi Delt Bungalow) all while I took subjects like the politics of Sub-Sahara Africa from Professor Glanz. A youthful experience which pales in comparison to the first hand experience of Sub Saharan African Politics Peter actually lived out at about the same age!
Which brings me to today's observation.
All around us are people with who we may disagree with, politically, and socially. Meeting and talking about our own unique human experiences is one real way to bridge our many divides. Each of us approaches life from our particular world experience. Experiences that when shared can help us to better understand where the other is coming from. Perhaps It is also one way we can find some common ground in spite of our own particular worldview.
With that I bid you
Adieu
on a throne that was built just for you
you may live in a tent in the far Orient
or a vine covered cottage for two
You may spend your life as a gypsy's wife
Or live in a French Chateau
but the love that is true
is waiting for you
In a Phi Delt Bungalow.
Phi Delta Theta "Love"Song
Song at all Phi Delt weddings...including ours
A few years back my Faithful and Obedient Companion along with three other couples formed "Chapter 2 Book Club". Like most such "Clubs" we agreed to each read several books per year and then we would meet and discuss at two dinner meetings held during those months we all would be back in Stowe.
Recently, over two seperate nights, we gathered for drinks, dinner and discussion at two of the couples homes the four books assigned for 2019. These books were Bunker Hill, South Sea Vagabond, A Gentlemen from Moscow and Brave New World.
Now this blog post is not meant to be a review of our discussions of these books . Instead it is an Observation about how people with divergent life experiences, world views and even strong differences in political thought, can sit down and share their experience in meaningful ways. Of course it is also fascinating to just to learn just how interesting and different all our lives have been. One such story from our book club comes to mind.
In discussing Bunker Hill we got into the subject of how "Unique" the American experience is based on those who first settled our country. We explored the difference between the British settlements in Canada and the 13 colonies and how different the governance of those two British settlements had been. We then discussed the British Military mindset versus the Colonial Militia. Which leads me to share a most fascinating experience of one of our group, who wanted to specifically relate to the British Military mindset. Interesting particularly since three of our eight members were once Canadians (including "Peter" who moved to Canada before becoming a US citizen).
Peter was originally a Brit whose Father had been a Mason on the Suez Canal when WW 2 broke out. When the Germans threatened North Africa he, his brother and his mother fled to safety in South Africa, traveling overland through Africa to escape the German Invasion., a story I had known from past golf discussions. What I did not know is that he ultimately joined the British Military at age 19, was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and was immediately stationed in the British colony of Gambia to head up a garrison of Gambians. He told us how one of his duties was to head up the motor pool despite the fact that he had never driven a car. In fact his Gambian troops had to teach him to drive!
Apparently in the waning years of British Colonial rule in Africa two Gambian tribes got into a conflict and Peter was dispatched to somehow settle the dispute at that ripe old age of 19. He proceeded to explain how he had no idea what his small group of troops could do to prevent an open conflict but it was his "duty" to travel up-river to the town where this conflict was breaking out and stop potential bloodshed. (Apparently one tribe wanted to grow rice in the river while the other tribe wanted the river for fishing. and open warfare was about to break out.) When he arrived with his small contingent of troops he simply decided that he and his Gambian recruits would march back and forth through the town, band playing and banners waving in a show of "force", which he admitted he had no idea would work. Fortunately for him (and his troops) this show of "force' was enough and he went on to spend some interesting times living a life of leisure in a bungalow by the beach in Gambia during the last years of British rule in Africa.
As I listened enthralled by Peter's story all I could do was remember what I was doing at age 19. Drinking beer and listening to Double Shot of my Baby's Love at Lafayette (or even singing about life in a Phi Delt Bungalow) all while I took subjects like the politics of Sub-Sahara Africa from Professor Glanz. A youthful experience which pales in comparison to the first hand experience of Sub Saharan African Politics Peter actually lived out at about the same age!
Which brings me to today's observation.
All around us are people with who we may disagree with, politically, and socially. Meeting and talking about our own unique human experiences is one real way to bridge our many divides. Each of us approaches life from our particular world experience. Experiences that when shared can help us to better understand where the other is coming from. Perhaps It is also one way we can find some common ground in spite of our own particular worldview.
With that I bid you
Adieu
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Point Counter Point Final Chapter..I hope
Jane you Ignorant .......Saturday Night Live
A clip with
Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtain
Idea from Phil Gocke ...thanks Phil
As you readers know I took a major step by surrendering an entire "Observations" to blog reader John Delnegro. In all my posts I generally have respected my readers anonymity unless it was in a supportive way. My post about "seniors" stated that several seniors at SCC grumbled and that was all true. John elected to reveal himself as one of them - via his comments and I respect his honesty. However his rebuttal needs a response (I think) so here goes....John hang on.
John your opening lead was simply to much of a coincidental ironic "tee up" to resist.
REI is an "upscale" outdoor place known for very progressive management. Headquartered in Everett Washington their sales are centered in SF, Seattle, Denver, NYC, Washington DC, Boston. Their founder and CEO was made Secretary of Interior by President Obama and ironically she likely had a lot to say about National Park pricing. REI for years has refused to do business with any "outdoor" company that has any "gun related" business.
John, In my mind I picture stores filled with MAGA hatted, gun tooting, real down home republicans etc....yeah right. You get the irony.
Now John you told me often that I was misguided for boycotting the NFL for politics. I ultimately conceded and came around to your point of view. So I understand that you would shop at the very upscale REI Stores even if you know their views. However from Wikipedia I simply loved this (I could not make this up after you calculated the cost of that poor "lady clerk" REI employees National Park spending):
"Employees receive discounts on merchandise, may be eligible for free or discounted outdoor classes, and also receive a "Yay day" pass, entitling them to spend up to 6 hours outdoors for pay. [35] REI has been ranked in the top 100 Companies to Work for in the United States by Fortune since 1998, which earned it a place in the Fortune "Hall of Fame". REI ranked as #8 in 2012,[36] #69 in 2014, #58 in 2015[37], #26 in 2016[38], and #28 in 2017.[39]
It sounds like a wonderful company to work for and very likely that time spent in National Parks yielded outdoor time with pay for much of that "clerks" trips to National Parks over the years. So I am not buying your "bleak picture" on the costs of National Park Fees for that poor REI "clerk". It strikes me as humorous since it just might be an upcoming federal mandate for all US companies to provide by our next Democratic President. Who could argue?
John, remember that my blog complained specifically about long lines of seniors in Giant Motorhomes, owned by wealthy seniors, clogging up the roads. Heck they belch carbon for peat's sake! Now I would think that fact alone would have made you support my complaint since I am sure you spend your money at REI specifically because it virtue signals a whole Carbon neutral ethos. Either way I hope you keep shopping there for my sake to help offset my shopping at North Face outlets. I find they offer more reasonably priced products but acknowledge is likely has a greater carbon footprint. We should all shop for values we see as important!
Enough good natured kidding about REI. I am sure it has some nice merchandise, happy content employees and yes solid "corporate values". Diversity maybe not so much if you include say hunting as your "outdoor activity", That is not allowed in the REI outdoor activity.
Let's talk stats about our poor seniors.
I agree stats can be deceiving, and concur that millions of our fellow seniors may in fact be struggling...including some Mooselodgers and REI clerks. Yes it is true one can use statistics to support arguments many ways. However you have conflated income with wealth. As a personal example as a senior I now have less "income" from Pensions and SS than I did when I was age 35! But I am now much, much 'wealthier". But note my stats were clearly based on net worth not income. There is no dispute from any reputable economist that seniors have much greater "net worth" by a huge margin....just think of home ownership. Yes net worth also includes motorhomes worth half a million (even for members of the Moose Club who own Motor Homes). I would also bet that most Moose Lodge retirees near Naples Florida are not reduced to eating Alpo but I concede, and have seen first hand, how they generally drink cheaper "Bud" or "Pabst" rather than more expensive craft beers. So I agree that many are not necessarily well heeled. Still I see no need to feel sorry for the overwhelmingly nice and apparently happy seniors I met at your Moose Lodge. Most, like me, seemed to prefer non -IPA's due to taste preferences not price. I will also not dispute your general observations about the financial status of many of the younger members of SCC, who seem to prefer more expensive beers at the bar there than I do. ( I do like Whistlepig so I concede that before you tell my readers about my beer/whiskey hypocrisy see below). So to save our readers more angina I will concede some seniors are really poor and some Stowe young people are well off. So now let's move on to Stowe CC pricing.
When I published my chart I never really noticed that the pricing on those over 70 actually is much lower than the younger bracket.... a fact you kindly pointed out that I missed! So Seniors at Stowe in fact still have something to cheer about. I checked my old quicken data and would simply say it is much cheaper than I paid when I first joined in 2009, so I have something to look forward to in a couple of years. But for now I still think Barbara and I are better served by having those of our friends who are members "invite" us join them...and get a round for 85 bucks with cart (if I walk it's 55 bucks). The convenience of a short drive allows me to enjoy those Whistle Pigs heck I even walked home week one! OK so another example of price/what one values. A DUI would be costly!
Finally as to demographics, alas John your probably right, certainly for the immediate future. Less children born to golfers means much less future for the sport, at any price. Additionally, golf takes time and patience, both in short supply for most young people these days. One can only hope they learn to develop patience in the coming years with us seniors when the cost of SS and Medicare really hits the fan.
Not just socialism but assisted senior suicide may very well be in all of our cards some day!
So John, you ignorant sl.....
Until next time
Adieu
A clip with
Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtain
Idea from Phil Gocke ...thanks Phil
As you readers know I took a major step by surrendering an entire "Observations" to blog reader John Delnegro. In all my posts I generally have respected my readers anonymity unless it was in a supportive way. My post about "seniors" stated that several seniors at SCC grumbled and that was all true. John elected to reveal himself as one of them - via his comments and I respect his honesty. However his rebuttal needs a response (I think) so here goes....John hang on.
John your opening lead was simply to much of a coincidental ironic "tee up" to resist.
REI is an "upscale" outdoor place known for very progressive management. Headquartered in Everett Washington their sales are centered in SF, Seattle, Denver, NYC, Washington DC, Boston. Their founder and CEO was made Secretary of Interior by President Obama and ironically she likely had a lot to say about National Park pricing. REI for years has refused to do business with any "outdoor" company that has any "gun related" business.
John, In my mind I picture stores filled with MAGA hatted, gun tooting, real down home republicans etc....yeah right. You get the irony.
Now John you told me often that I was misguided for boycotting the NFL for politics. I ultimately conceded and came around to your point of view. So I understand that you would shop at the very upscale REI Stores even if you know their views. However from Wikipedia I simply loved this (I could not make this up after you calculated the cost of that poor "lady clerk" REI employees National Park spending):
"Employees receive discounts on merchandise, may be eligible for free or discounted outdoor classes, and also receive a "Yay day" pass, entitling them to spend up to 6 hours outdoors for pay. [35] REI has been ranked in the top 100 Companies to Work for in the United States by Fortune since 1998, which earned it a place in the Fortune "Hall of Fame". REI ranked as #8 in 2012,[36] #69 in 2014, #58 in 2015[37], #26 in 2016[38], and #28 in 2017.[39]
It sounds like a wonderful company to work for and very likely that time spent in National Parks yielded outdoor time with pay for much of that "clerks" trips to National Parks over the years. So I am not buying your "bleak picture" on the costs of National Park Fees for that poor REI "clerk". It strikes me as humorous since it just might be an upcoming federal mandate for all US companies to provide by our next Democratic President. Who could argue?
John, remember that my blog complained specifically about long lines of seniors in Giant Motorhomes, owned by wealthy seniors, clogging up the roads. Heck they belch carbon for peat's sake! Now I would think that fact alone would have made you support my complaint since I am sure you spend your money at REI specifically because it virtue signals a whole Carbon neutral ethos. Either way I hope you keep shopping there for my sake to help offset my shopping at North Face outlets. I find they offer more reasonably priced products but acknowledge is likely has a greater carbon footprint. We should all shop for values we see as important!
Enough good natured kidding about REI. I am sure it has some nice merchandise, happy content employees and yes solid "corporate values". Diversity maybe not so much if you include say hunting as your "outdoor activity", That is not allowed in the REI outdoor activity.
Let's talk stats about our poor seniors.
I agree stats can be deceiving, and concur that millions of our fellow seniors may in fact be struggling...including some Mooselodgers and REI clerks. Yes it is true one can use statistics to support arguments many ways. However you have conflated income with wealth. As a personal example as a senior I now have less "income" from Pensions and SS than I did when I was age 35! But I am now much, much 'wealthier". But note my stats were clearly based on net worth not income. There is no dispute from any reputable economist that seniors have much greater "net worth" by a huge margin....just think of home ownership. Yes net worth also includes motorhomes worth half a million (even for members of the Moose Club who own Motor Homes). I would also bet that most Moose Lodge retirees near Naples Florida are not reduced to eating Alpo but I concede, and have seen first hand, how they generally drink cheaper "Bud" or "Pabst" rather than more expensive craft beers. So I agree that many are not necessarily well heeled. Still I see no need to feel sorry for the overwhelmingly nice and apparently happy seniors I met at your Moose Lodge. Most, like me, seemed to prefer non -IPA's due to taste preferences not price. I will also not dispute your general observations about the financial status of many of the younger members of SCC, who seem to prefer more expensive beers at the bar there than I do. ( I do like Whistlepig so I concede that before you tell my readers about my beer/whiskey hypocrisy see below). So to save our readers more angina I will concede some seniors are really poor and some Stowe young people are well off. So now let's move on to Stowe CC pricing.
When I published my chart I never really noticed that the pricing on those over 70 actually is much lower than the younger bracket.... a fact you kindly pointed out that I missed! So Seniors at Stowe in fact still have something to cheer about. I checked my old quicken data and would simply say it is much cheaper than I paid when I first joined in 2009, so I have something to look forward to in a couple of years. But for now I still think Barbara and I are better served by having those of our friends who are members "invite" us join them...and get a round for 85 bucks with cart (if I walk it's 55 bucks). The convenience of a short drive allows me to enjoy those Whistle Pigs heck I even walked home week one! OK so another example of price/what one values. A DUI would be costly!
Finally as to demographics, alas John your probably right, certainly for the immediate future. Less children born to golfers means much less future for the sport, at any price. Additionally, golf takes time and patience, both in short supply for most young people these days. One can only hope they learn to develop patience in the coming years with us seniors when the cost of SS and Medicare really hits the fan.
Not just socialism but assisted senior suicide may very well be in all of our cards some day!
So John, you ignorant sl.....
Until next time
Adieu
Discounts a Counter View
A Guest Post by John Delnegro
(Editor's Note: Rather than provide John's comments in three sections I decided to post his entire comment as a "Guest Post" so readers can get the full "flavor" of his his thoughts on my last post. The opinions expressed below are the author's......)
(Editor's Note: Rather than provide John's comments in three sections I decided to post his entire comment as a "Guest Post" so readers can get the full "flavor" of his his thoughts on my last post. The opinions expressed below are the author's......)
Hello Jim,
As always I enjoy reading your Observations regardless of what altitude you are at. And as always I feel you do a very good job of expressing both sides of an argument. Not having the time to dig to the depths you do I would still like to offer a few sprite and opposing thoughts on your last blog, and heaven knows that my verbiage will pal in comparison to yours. Now I think I was the cheap senior citizen that prompted you to write “Let’s Make A Deal.”
- The first example you use is the fees charged at a National Park. The young pay $60 per entry and seniors pay $10 for a lifetime pass. Strange thing, I was at REI last week checking out and I made a statement about being retired to the lady clerk. She responded by telling me she couldn’t wait for next year as she would turn 60 and be able to get a National Park pass for $10 having spent several years paying far more when she, husband and children would visit the Park system. Let’s say the family visited the park annually for 40 years ($2400). I think it is wonderful that having paid in $2400 she now will pay $10 rather than having paid the lesser amount for 40 years$10 ($400). Yes it would have been a great deal for them during the time you state they had less money but I ask you…do you really think this 59 year old lady working at REI will have the discretionary income at age 60 that the family had when two were working. While I know you are fastidious about your stats I really wonder how those income figures were derived. I don’t think the average park visitor fits your stats even though they are correct. The stats don’t look like the average couple from Iowa’s income, yes, maybe Stowe, VT. Let’s also talk about what it costs to operate our national parks. No, I don’t feel sorry for the government but it is heavily subsidized and the $2400 vs $400 sure makes a difference. Let’s talk about the ratio of seniors to young who can take advantage of this offer perhaps 1:10 so I don’t feel so bad about rewarding them. Let me give you one more example from my personal experience. Walk into the any Moose Club in America. Here you will find the majority of members have income of far less than your stats indicate in fact they wait for their social security checks which affords them the luxury of having dinner two beers and getting change back from a $10 yes really change back. But the young who have far more earing power can also join.
- Ok, let’s move on to my second point the crux of the matter, Stowe Country Club and their pricing scheme. I will give you credit for questioning the outcome of this pricing matrix. I ran some quick numbers (nothing like you would do) and based on my figures from what I have been told (unofficial) the revenue picture is probably close to what it was before the low ball scheme. What I think has taken place is nothing more than a demographic shift by moving several members who belonged to less expensive clubs to the more prestigious and better kept SCC. Next year the competition may offer a counter that will challenge Stowe. However SCC has offended many of those who belonged for years and saw no special offers (back to the national park example). Having a different socioeconomic member at the Club I wonder how it impacts the food and beverage business as part of total revenue. One other important fact to remember in this community of high discretionary income, most of these young folks play off of mom and dad’s membership. With the above demographic shift and the family membership, did that grow the sport by increasing the number of youth participants? Swinging all the way back to your income chart I don’t think there are to many age 35 or younger living in Stowe with median U.S. wealth of $11,100 and if they are then it is in their parents basement and that’s their annual stipend from mom and dad. You mention this being a profit center for AIG. You are right, and AIG got all the profit they wanted when (Marriott or Hyatt) won the bid to operate the Club. They could care less about growing the support.
- Golf is not a growth sport. Lowering the fees will not increase youth participants. Furthermore 40 year old’s are not “youth”. I wonder about the marital status of the youth movement. My own thought is they are likely single and once they have family’s they will not have 4-6 hours to play golf regardless of price. Additionally millennials are focused on e-sports which give instant gratification. You ask the question, “when this crop of new golfers ages will they begin to look for senior discounts or remember SCC as having offered youth discounts?” My answer is maybe they will remember having paid $1000 during their youth and now as seniors expect the discount off of this price. “Let’s Make A Deal.”
With that I bid adieu
John Delnegro
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Let's make a "deal" an Observation why we all love our "Discounts"
"Let's Make a Deal"
Monty HallBack in 2011 when my Faithful and Obedient Companion and I did a 2 month cross country trip across the USA we visited numerous National Parks. It always amazed us to watch a parade of huge expensive Motorhomes, driven by wealthy retirees, using their lifetime National Park "Senior Card" (which costs 10 bucks), to enter the Park for free. Meanwhile those entering with a car full of kids, driving an old car, would be dropping 60 or 70 bucks to make a visit for just the day. It fondly reminded me of my wonderful Mother in Law who relished such "Senior Discounts" and always would add...I deserve it after all I am entitled .
Now don't get me wrong once we hit 65 we also purchased a 10 dollar lifetime pass, in my name. A few months back I laughed when my Faithful and Obedient Companion, upon reading of a soon to be implemented 10 fold increase in such passes, suggested (tongue in cheek...I think) we get another one in her name as well before the increase, why ? Well in case I died first and she could no longer use my card!
Somehow the "idea" that older people "need discounts" has become an integral part of our culture. I guess we all have have been ingrained with this picture of poor seniors eating dog food or something and so we give discounts to those seniors who own $500,000 Motorhomes.
So just to write this blog I decided to "confirm" facts that most of us likely already "know"...how that image of "poor seniors" is really BS.
Here is a quick snapshot of median US wealth by household age, and consider hat this does not even consider that younger households have more members.
Age 35 or younger: $11,100
Age 35-44: $59,800
Age 45-54: $124,200
Age 55-64: $187,300
Age 65-74: $224,100
Age 75 or older: $264,800
Here is average the stats based on "averages".
Age 35 or younger: $76,200
Age 35-44: $288,700
Age 45-54: $727,500
Age 55-64: $1.17 million
Age 65-74: $1.07 million
Age 75 or older: $1.07 million
So now about age discounts..I searched "Young People Discounts" and I only found a few results...mainly for college kids air fare and travel, and one for theater tickets.
I then searched senior discounts and was flooded with results. I will not even bother to copy and paste anything...my blog post would be page after page.
OK so I state the obvious, charging people based on "age" in this country is a long standing marketing ploy which is not against the law.
So imagine my surprise when a few of my senior golfing friends raised a legal question (about age discrimination in pricing ) about this years Stowe Country Club pricing scheme:
My answer well of course it is.....so what?
Now I have no idea why from a financial standpoint the course would want to make long term members "miffed" by advertising such a pricing scheme but they did state this:
What’s New at Stowe Country Club for 2019?
One Club – All adult memberships will now have unrestricted access to any available tee times, up to 7 days in advance.
Next Generation – SCC is making a concerted effort to grow the game by attracting our next generation of Club members. In addition to reducing our Under 20 pricing, we now have more affordable options for those under age 30 and 40.
Now everyone knows Golf is in trouble demographically, and I have no clue if this scheme helps stem that tide. I also wonder how many members quit versus new ones that signed up and what the ultimate economic consequences are to SCC. However, this is not a "private club" and is still in theory, a "Profit Center" at AIG. I do know this to me seems a long term play to in fact grow the game, based purely on demographics. The question long term is this. When this crop of new members ages will they begin to look for senior "discounts"or will they remember SCC as one of the few places that offered a youth discount when they needed it? Only time will tell.
My Final "real" Observation is this:
Everybody wants a deal, but if history is any lesson what we humans really hate to see is someone get a bargain that we cannot. It's just who we are. It's no wonder that our younger fellow citizens are likely to look for free stuff like "Health Care" when they see that the richer members of society are already getting their "Health Care" via medicare on the cheap. Be careful what you wish for because in total (as someone who is no socialist) there is no free lunch for any of us.
With that I bid you adieu
With that I bid you adieu
Thursday, August 8, 2019
DNA - We are all related!
They took the whole Cherokee nation
Put us on this reservation
Took away our ways of life
The tomahawk and the bow and knife
Took away our native tongue
And taught their English to our young
And all the beads we made by hand
Are nowadays made in Japan
Put us on this reservation
Took away our ways of life
The tomahawk and the bow and knife
Took away our native tongue
And taught their English to our young
And all the beads we made by hand
Are nowadays made in Japan
Cherokee people
Cherokee tribe
So proud to live
So proud to die
Cherokee tribe
So proud to live
So proud to die
Well a while back I did a blog post about My Faithful and Obedient Companions "Cherokee" Roots via Aaron "Chief Red Bird" "Cutsawah" " Brock 1721 – 1797. Here was the origin of that post:
George-Brock Barbara's Maternal Great Great Great Grandfather Documented by DAR Genealogy
As you can see his Parents were shown as the Infamous Chief Red Bird.....but another possibility was also listed.
.
Note also a sibling by the name of Jessie Brock was also listed, and he is likely descended from "The Chief". It was from this that I got here the idea to claim her heritage!
This family story led me to surprise my "Faithful and Obedient Companion" with a side trip to Salem Indiana on our journey back tom Stowe so we could dig further into this storied history. It was also where Barbara's Mom spent her early years.
Unfortunately, over a cigar, I delved into Chief "Red Birds" history and uncovered this. Which as I type I realize t will also be a "surprise" to "My Faithful and Obedient Companion" when she reads this post!
George-Brock Barbara's Maternal Great Great Great Grandfather Documented by DAR Genealogy
As you can see his Parents were shown as the Infamous Chief Red Bird.....but another possibility was also listed.
.
Note also a sibling by the name of Jessie Brock was also listed, and he is likely descended from "The Chief". It was from this that I got here the idea to claim her heritage!
This family story led me to surprise my "Faithful and Obedient Companion" with a side trip to Salem Indiana on our journey back tom Stowe so we could dig further into this storied history. It was also where Barbara's Mom spent her early years.
Unfortunately, over a cigar, I delved into Chief "Red Birds" history and uncovered this. Which as I type I realize t will also be a "surprise" to "My Faithful and Obedient Companion" when she reads this post!
What we have About Aaron "Totsuwha-Chief Red Bird" Brock
Some researchers believe him to be Chief Red Bird for which the Red Bird River in Clay and Leslie Counties are named. Aaron Cutsawah would be his American Indian name if this is the case as there are some places that refer to Chief Red Bird as Aaron Cutsawah Chief Red Bird Brock. However, on the 1805 Treaty of Tellico, Chief Red Bird's name was listed as Tochuwor with his "X" made by the name.
Alternate birth date: 8/21/1721
We don’t know his parents, wife or children. Documentation welcome, but don’t add anyone, please.
Disproved descent
- John Brock, {Fictional} Seen as son is a known fraudulent profile
- 2. Mahala Susannah b.1749 Cumberland Co. VA d.1820 Clay Co. KY m. Edward Callahan in 1773 VA. Edward b.1773 VA d.1823 Clay Co. KY [NO: she was a sister of Jesse, who was not Red Bird’s son]
- 3. George b.1752 Shenandoah Co. VA d. Jan 1839 Washington Co. IN. m. Julia Ann Bruner on May 28, 1824
- 4. Reuben b.1754 VA m. Elizabeth Camp in 1779 NC b.1760 NC [NO: Reuben Brock of German Ancestry]
- 5. James Brock b. 1758 VA d.1834 [NO: Brother of Jesse, Y DNA Haplogroup j]
Some more info about the "Brocks" reveals:
AARON BROCK (Sr.), is said to've been born 8 Dec 1721 in VA, though no source for the date can be found ~ the same birthday as his son JESSE BROCK (b. 8 Dec 1751, Cumberland Co., VA), so perhaps someone confused their birthdays. AARON died probably 1811 in Clay Co., KY. Nearly 200 years of oral tradition indicates Aaron Brock the English name of Cherokee treaty-signer Chief Red Bird (Cherokee name Tsalagi' Ugvwiyuhi Totsu'hwa) for whom the Red Bird River was named. Circumstantial evidence indicates but cannot prove he was the son of Chief Great Eagle and Woman Ani-Wadi. Dr. Kenneth B. Tankersley was shown the burial place of Aaron Brock - Chief Red Bird as a boy by his great-grandmother Elizabeth Saylor Tankersley, who was shown by her grandmother Elizabeth Brock Saylor, the granddaughter of Jesse Brock's son James C., as a place to be cared for by their family, which has looked after his grave since the murder.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaron's son Jesse Brock was said in testimony by his grandson Elijah (son of Amon) to be "about 3/4 Indian." This suggests that Jesse was the grand- or great-grand-, or gr-great-grandson (?) of a European immigrant. A Brock DNA Project to determine the Y-chromosome of Aaron Brock is awaiting more test results, but so far three Brock direct-male-line descendants of Jesse Brocks's sons Amon, James, and Jesse, Jr., are haplogroup J-12f2.1+, of Mediterranean-Middle East- Ashkenazi Jewish (Jews who went to Northern Europe, primarily to England). Dr. Bennett Greenspan of Family Tree DNA wrote about our Brock family's DNA in June 2007, "I have looked into a Jewish database that we have and this line IS found as a 12/12 match with 10 people in the database of Jews…One from Turkey (likely Spanish origins) one from Iran, and many from the Island of Majorca from a group of people who where forced to convert to Christianity called the Cheuta’s. I do not believe that these Brocks are descended from a Native American male, rather from a Jewish colonizer of Spanish descent."
Another man tested whose DNA was tested descends from a George Brock who lived in the same area as Jesse, had land dealings with him, and is believed by descendants to be Jesse's son, shows haplogroup R1B, the most common European admixture, and no similarity to the other two. There is little chance they had a common ancestor. He and some other Brocks tested with DNA Prints, rather than Y-chromosome testing, all show a percentage of Native American.
So.......while the genealogy I thought I uncovered that Barbara was a descendant of "Chief Rebird" has been shattered by DNA testing...you will note that she apparently is still much more a Native American than one infamous "Native American" Democratic Presidential candidate.
Oh and perhaps it also shows she may perhaps (?) share some DNA with another prominent presidential contender from Vermont! ( But that does seem unlikely?)
All in all still a wonderful family story to share with you all, even if Barbara will likely say this DNA testing stuff is for The (Red) Birds!
With that I bid you adieu!
Oh and perhaps it also shows she may perhaps (?) share some DNA with another prominent presidential contender from Vermont! ( But that does seem unlikely?)
All in all still a wonderful family story to share with you all, even if Barbara will likely say this DNA testing stuff is for The (Red) Birds!
With that I bid you adieu!
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Birds of a Feather tend to Flock Together.
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same,
There's a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.
Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same,
There's a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.
And the people in the houses
All went to the university
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same
And there's doctors and lawyers
And business executives
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
All went to the university
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same
And there's doctors and lawyers
And business executives
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all play on the golf course
And drink their martinis dry
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school,
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
Where they are put in boxes
And they come out all the same
And drink their martinis dry
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school,
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
Where they are put in boxes
And they come out all the same
My racism pieces are all done but as promised I wanted to address a post about Stowe specifically and more broadly our human tendencies to form communities of "people like me". As America has became "more diverse" I suppose one could imagine that this "diversity" would happen "community by community" . In other words they would also become more diverse. My own Observation is this is not really true. In fact our Red State/Blue State cultural divide has actually increased as we have segregated ourselves less on racial/ethnic divides and more on "like thinking" divides. This is the result of many complex social and economic changes that have enabled more movement of people based on lifestyles, beliefs and economics and less based on ethnicity and forced segregation.
However, "voluntary" segregation" of like interests and like thinking can yield very similar results.
Before discussing Stowe let me cite two interesting examples.
When Blog follower Lester Wurful and his "Faithful and Obedient" companion Joan visited us in Winter Park we took a 4 hour train ride to Glenwood Hot Springs. On that ride we met a black gentleman named "Antonio" who was living his lifelong dream of being a train conductor. After a year of applying he got a job with Amtrak and quit his job as a manger with UPS in a small Kansas town. In chatting with him he said the UPS position was a really great job....but he and his wife and children were the only black family in the town. He said they were openly welcomed and embraced by this "all white" community. I had to laugh when he described how he and his wife taught Sunday School at the local Lutheran Church..."Imagine that" he said..".me a lifelong gospel singing Baptist!". But he always longed to be a train conductor and jumped at the chance to meet people riding the Zephyr between Denver and Grand Junction every day. So he retired from UPS which now offered him the opportunity to not only pursue his dream job but to move to a "more diverse" Colorado Springs community after almost 10 years in a small white community in rural Kansas. He added he still he occasionally misses his many friends in Kansas. Our long conversation with "Antonio" was icing on the cake for our train ride.
Speaking of Kansas while riding the Winter Park bus to skiing one morning this year we met a not so nice couple from rural Kansas (in my opinion) who hated Kansas, and their "Republican" voting neighbors (he was an "educated" man who was a surgeon in the small towns only hospital). They were looking to move to Boulder to be with more "forward" thinking people. They did nothing but spew hatred about their neighbors. Both my Faithful and "Obedient Companion" could not get away from the bus fast enough. However this is so indicative of how our great political divide is enhanced by like minded reasons for self segregation.
Two very distinct opinions on "backwater" Kansas from two distinctly different kinds of people...give me Antonio living his dream over that Doctor and his snobbish wife anytime. But no doubt both were inclined to ultimately "self" segregate.
Which brings me to Stowe. A place, despite my occasional disparaging remarks, I grew to love very much. Like Winter Park it is a ski town in a beautiful setting. My own "self segregation" was based on a new found love for what I thought was skiing. However, as my friend Lester reminded me that while in college I often expressed an interest in becoming a "forest ranger". He even observed on one of our hikes that when I retired I found places to actually live that old dream!.. It was a most astute observation about a "forgotten" dream from almost 50 years ago! Ok so maybe I decided to move to the mountains for more than just the skiing.
With that aside I must come back to Stowe...for it is definitely "monolithically" white. Populated by wealthier weekenders of all "political persuasions " and a core of full time relatively wealthy residents who are virtually all "politically progressive" . I actually enjoyed that diversity of thought and found that living among those who are of different views quite stimulating (unlike that Kansas couple). I was one of the few "Republicans" in town but never was worried about expressing my thoughts. However, I found it discouraging that those who so passionately expressed their hatred of "deplorables" took daily actions that would suppress any real ethnic or racial diversity.
One example I have cited (low cost Housing exclusion) are conflicts caused by a desire of its' residents to keep the town a pristine mountain hideaway. It is one I frankly like, and I too have financially supported. But honestly there are not many "black" skiers and I say that as a matter of reality. I cannot change that and that is one reason for the monolithic "whiteness" of Stowe.
But some "keep it the way it is attitudes" are much more subtle. When I was on our homeowners board I was approached by a neighbor who wanted one of our unused tennis courts converted into a basketball court. You see there are very few courts (outside the school gym) in town. I thought it was a great idea! Unfortunately it was resoundingly opposed as a "potential nuisance". I cannot imagine frankly any real attraction to Stowe for black families if their kids cannot find recreation "embedded" in their own life experience. A minor point, well maybe, but a real one to anyone with kids. Even if they were economically able to move to Stowe.
This leads me to my final "Observation". If you really want to make the world "diverse" racially then do so in your own actions and behavior. But please do not spot platitudes on how America is so racially divided just to virtue signal your "beliefs" to others about how so many of your fellow countrymen are "racist". Not everything is "about" race hatred.
My next post will be from Stowe!
With that I bid you Adieu
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)