Labour Credits

According to my current bathroom reading material, “The Intellectual Devotional: American History,” when Cornelius Vanderbilt died in 1877, his estate, worth >$100 million, exceeded the holdings of the United States Treasury at the time.

Therefore, income inequality in the U.S. has cycled more than once through significant highs and lows.

If, as economic historian (or political scientist, if you will) Francis Fukuyama states in this interview,  the German economic model benefits the whole society, what, if any, are the negative aspects that prevent Americans from adopting the same or similar model?

Higher taxes?

Tariffs?

And if Greece is just a system of closed corporations, are any of them too big to fail?  If not, why not let them implode and give the dregs/leftovers/wreckage to the lowest bidders at that point?

A nod to many soon, including Juliette Binoche in “Certified Copy” and “Jet Lag” — may she inspire Julie Delpy to reprise her character Celine in the Before Sunrise/Sunset series.  Danielle at Mori Luggage reminds me of her so perhaps we can make a local production that imagines the ending to the trilogy…

Last, but not least, am I the only one who can’t look at the New England Patriots without trying to figure out how they cheated their way into the Super Bowl this time?  No matter how much the players will claim it is their hard work and talent that got the team there, something tells me that Belichick has another lying/cheating scandal waiting to be revealed by an investigative reporter someday soon.  Why the NFL did not boot him tells me a lot about the league and its owners.  Take that as a challenge to win, NY Giants!

Syria is Russia’s last hope that the Islamic movement infecting the Middle East does not spread.  Do EU countries care?  What about China or the U.S.?  Is Sharia a threat or a welcome change?  Do Buddhists or Hindus care?

Time for me to meditate on dinner and dancing the Charleston.  G’night!

Just a position – Juxtaposition

[One more break before the story recommences]

A nod to the family of Flo Trotter, a dear friend who corresponded with me years ago, sharing her strong belief in the Christian Bible by writing letters to me containing Bible verses upon which she expanded her lifeview — Flo, you will be missed greatly.

Sitting with three cigars in front of me and a 1pint-6oz bottle of brown ale by Legend Brewing Co. of Richmond, VA, I nod, also, to the ball coach of a little university in the state of Pennsylvania, who died of lung cancer — may your children and grandchildren outlive the highs and lows of your reputation.

A little while ago, I finished listening to a live performance by the organist Gail Archer, as part of Covenant Presbyterian Church’s Covenant Concerts, in concert with the Greater Huntsville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.  The program included pieces by Buxtehude, Bach, Schumann, Hensel, Tower and Liszt.

I took notes during the concert but left them in another room of the house where my wife sleeps.

  Summary: Archer provided the right articulation and emotional input to make every piece of music a joy in itself.  I thank her for promoting the art of organ playing — I’ve waited 25 years to hear an organ concert in the Covenant Presbyterian church sanctuary and it was well worth the wait.

I listen to her An American Idyll CD while composing this journalistic blog entry.

Meanwhile, bulky guys with uniforms bounce off each other during an NFL playoff game of little to no interest to me (Ravens and Patriots).  I’ll wait until this evening’s game to sit and eat chips, drink beer and veg out during the Giants-49ers game.

Is public education ever going to keep up with the changing economy?

Or do children, like always, find a way to make a living despite an incomplete/inappropriate childhood education?

What is Russia doing to prevent meaningful military intervention in Syria’s internal strife/killing spree between two equally brutal forces?  Better yet, why, Russia, why?  Putin, I think better of you than this.  You, too, Medvedev.

Well, commercialised football viewing calls my name.  Talk with you tomorrow, when the hesitant leader of the Committee picks up the pace of making sure the scheduled event taking place 13,984 days from now goes off without a hitch.

Like the label says, “FRESH BEER – KEEP COOL”!