tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91825586918107768352024-03-15T02:52:57.580-04:00Left Bank of the CharlesArts - Politics - CommunityLeft Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.comBlogger1300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-24689266915308205412022-03-01T13:44:00.016-05:002022-03-01T15:50:42.530-05:00Z for Zelenskyy<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GZ-3YwVQV0M" width="500" youtube-src-id="GZ-3YwVQV0M"></iframe>
Who knows what Putin was thinking when he painted Zs on the sides of his tanks and sent them into Ukraine last week. If his aim was to rattle Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and force him to capitulate, he has instead created an international folk hero.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy's entry into politics is a lesson in the impossibilities of the old saying that truth is stranger than fiction. First, he created a Ukranian television show called <a href=https://youtu.be/GZ-3YwVQV0M>Servant of the People</a>, in which he starred as a high school teacher still living with his parents who gets elected President after a student films his profanity-laced tirade against corrupt politics and posts it on YouTube. Then he formed a political party, also called Servant of the People, ran for President in 2019, and won with 73% of the vote.
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Donald Trump tried to roll the newly-elected Zelenskyy, and got impeached for his trouble. Now Vladimir Putin wants to take his turn in the barrel, but doesn't appear to understand that he is fighting against magic realism. With the Ghost of Kyiv, "Russian warship, go f yourself", Russian POWs calling their mothers, and videos of everyone from old men to teenage girls making Molotov cocktails, Putin has already lost the public relations war.
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The <a href=http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2014/03/ukraine-has-not-yet-perished.html>conventional wisdom</a> expressed here in 2014 is that Ukraine will eventually succomb to its much larger and wealthier neighbor, Russia. But that was before Zelenskyy and, to quote its national anthem, Ukraine has not yet perished.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-28327789662302707382022-02-13T16:24:00.012-05:002022-02-13T18:35:41.304-05:00Seven Three-Word Sequences for Solving WordleAre you playing <a href=https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html>Wordle</a>, the daily online game that gives you six chances to guess a five-letter word?
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixyhJsHiD_js7NsYyO53wEVgz50uM6QWKEm8dlmSVWfV73cXug4x7MHvddasnCJmbhE8tBNwUOCO_f4MURpP3rovDYpP_4FoCbHauIPjk7J5IZQMEZLvtQ9_U2Pgoy8pzaQ2967fQi231B8c9Ypx2V1TuWnkySLF_Xf6IZ68MaN1si73XB0GcuaNxUyw" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixyhJsHiD_js7NsYyO53wEVgz50uM6QWKEm8dlmSVWfV73cXug4x7MHvddasnCJmbhE8tBNwUOCO_f4MURpP3rovDYpP_4FoCbHauIPjk7J5IZQMEZLvtQ9_U2Pgoy8pzaQ2967fQi231B8c9Ypx2V1TuWnkySLF_Xf6IZ68MaN1si73XB0GcuaNxUyw"/></a></div>
The big question is what word to use for your first guess. I've extended that idea to finding the first three words that provide a very good chance of solving the puzzle by choosimg the words based on the frequency of letters in English words in the table below.
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The first three guesses will usually identify enough letters to make a good guess at the answer on the fourth guess, with two guesses still in reserve. Sometimes the first two words will identify enough letters to skip the third word in the sequence and make a good guess at the answer, as was successfully done in the game shown above.
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STEIN / HOARD / CLUMP - Pick the low-hanging fruit. This sequence covers 87.51% of the letter frequencies, the highest percentage that can be covered with three guesses.
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STONE / CHARD / IMPLY - Reach for the Y. This sequence trades the U for a Y. Stone can be played instead as notes or tones, if you prefer.
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ATONE / CRISP / BULGY - Start with three vowels. Atone is often recommended as the first guess, its 40.43% covers the highest percentage of the seven sequences for the first guess, and the next two words in the sequence cover the remaining vowels.
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ADIEU / STORY / CLAMP - Buy the vowels. This sequences covers all the vowels in the first two guesses. Adieu is also often recommended as the first guess. The third guess reuses the A that was guessed in the third word, so it can make sense to vary the third word based on what vowells the first two words turn up. For example, clamp, clomp, clump, chink, chunk, flack, fleck, flock.
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ENTRY / AUDIO / CLAPS - Buy the vowels, version II. This sequence covers all the vowels in the first two guesses. Audio is often recommended as a first guess, but the frequencies suggest guessing entry before audio. Again, varying the third word based on the vowels already uncovered can make sense.
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TREND / CLAMP / WHISK - Buy consonants. This sequence covers only three vowels in order to cover twelve consonants.
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FRONT / BUCKS / LYMPH - Pitch a change-up for the most consonants. This covers the three less frequent vowels, and thirteen consonants (counting Y as both). But the low total frequency of 63.69% feels suboptimal when played in comparison to the other sequences above.
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How well do these sequences work? I've got a 100% win rate at the <a href=https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html>offical Wordle site</a> and a 99% win rate at the <a href=https://wordle-play.com>Wordle knockoff</a> I play for practice. How well will they work for you?
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The following table uses <a href=https://www3.nd.edu/~busiforc/handouts/cryptography/letterfrequencies.html>letter frequency percentages</a> based on the main entries of the Concise Oxford Dictionary (9th edition, 1995):
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<table><tbody>
<tr><th align=left>   </th><th width=60 align=right> Letter<br/>Fre-<br/>quency </th><th width=60 align=left> Stein<br/>Hoard<br/>Clump </th><th width=60 align=left> Stone<br/>Chard<br/>Imply </th><th width=60 align=left> Atone<br/>Crisp<br/>Bulgy </th><th width=60 align=left> Adieu<br/>Story<br/>Clamp </th><th width=60 align=left> Entry<br/>Audio<br/>Claps </th><th width=60 align=left> Trend<br/>Clamp<br/>Whisk </th><th width=60 align=left> Front<br/>Bucks<br/>Lymph </th></tr>
<tr><td align=left> E </td><td align=right> 11.16% </td><td align=left> Stein </td><td align=left> Stone </td><td align=left> Atone </td><td align=left> Adieu </td><td align=left> Entry </td><td align=left> Trend </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> A </td><td align=right> 8.50% </td><td align=left> Hoard </td><td align=left> Chard </td><td align=left> Atone </td><td align=left> Adieu </td><td align=left> Audio </td><td align=left> Clamp </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> R </td><td align=right> 7.58% </td><td align=left> Hoard </td><td align=left> Chard </td><td align=left> Crisp </td><td align=left> Story </td><td align=left> Entry </td><td align=left> Trend </td><td align=left> Front </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> I </td><td align=right> 7.54% </td><td align=left> Stein </td><td align=left> Imply </td><td align=left> Crisp </td><td align=left> Adieu </td><td align=left> Audio </td><td align=left> Whisk </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> O </td><td align=right> 7.16% </td><td align=left> Hoard </td><td align=left> Stone </td><td align=left> Atone </td><td align=left> Story </td><td align=left> Audio </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> Front </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> T </td><td align=right> 6.95% </td><td align=left> Stein </td><td align=left> Stone </td><td align=left> Atone </td><td align=left> Story </td><td align=left> Entry </td><td align=left> Trend </td><td align=left> Front </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> N </td><td align=right> 6.65% </td><td align=left> Stein </td><td align=left> Stone </td><td align=left> Atone </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> Entry </td><td align=left> Trend </td><td align=left> Front </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> S </td><td align=right> 5.74% </td><td align=left> Stein </td><td align=left> Stone </td><td align=left> Crisp </td><td align=left> Story </td><td align=left> Claps </td><td align=left> Whisk </td><td align=left> Bucks </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> L </td><td align=right> 5.49% </td><td align=left> Clump </td><td align=left> Imply </td><td align=left> Bulgy </td><td align=left> Clamp </td><td align=left> Claps </td><td align=left> Clamp </td><td align=left> Lymph </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> C </td><td align=right> 4.54% </td><td align=left> Clump </td><td align=left> Chard </td><td align=left> Crisp </td><td align=left> Clamp </td><td align=left> Claps </td><td align=left> Clamp </td><td align=left> Bucks </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> U </td><td align=right> 3.63% </td><td align=left> Clump </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Bulgy </td><td align=left> Adieu </td><td align=left> Audio </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Bucks </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> D </td><td align=right> 3.38% </td><td align=left> Hoard </td><td align=left> Chard </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Adieu </td><td align=left> Audio </td><td align=left> Trend </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> P </td><td align=right> 3.17% </td><td align=left> Clump </td><td align=left> Imply </td><td align=left> Crisp </td><td align=left> Clamp </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> Clamp </td><td align=left> Lymph </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> M </td><td align=right> 3.01% </td><td align=left> Clump </td><td align=left> Imply </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Clamp </td><td align=left> Claps </td><td align=left> Clamp </td><td align=left> Lymph </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> H </td><td align=right> 3.00% </td><td align=left> Hoard </td><td align=left> Chard </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> Whisk </td><td align=left> Lymph </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> G </td><td align=right> 2.47% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Bulgy </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> B </td><td align=right> 2.07% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Bulgy </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Bucks </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> F </td><td align=right> 1.81% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Front </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> Y </td><td align=right> 1.78% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Imply </td><td align=left> Bulgy </td><td align=left> Story </td><td align=left> Entry </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Lymph </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> W </td><td align=right> 1.29% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> Whisk </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> K </td><td align=right> 1.10% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> Bucks </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> V </td><td align=right> 1.01% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> X </td><td align=right> 0.29% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> Z </td><td align=right> 0.27% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> J </td><td align=right> 0.20% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> Q </td><td align=right> 0.20% </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=left> </td><td align=right>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left> </td><td align=left>   </td><td align=left> </td></tr>
<tr><td align=leftwidth=55> 1</td><td align=right>   </td><td align=right> 38.05% </td><td align=right> 37.66% </td><td align=right> 40.43% </td><td align=right> 34.22% </td><td align=right> 34.12% </td><td align=right> 35.73% </td><td align=right> 30.16% </td></tr>
<tr><td align=leftwidth=55> 2 </td><td align=right>   </td><td align=right> 29.63% </td><td align=right> 27.00% </td><td align=right> 28.57% </td><td align=right> 29.21% </td><td align=right> 30.22% </td><td align=right> 24.70% </td><td align=right> 17.08% </td></tr>
<tr><td align=leftwidth=55> 3 </td><td align=right>   </td><td align=right> 19.84% </td><td align=right> 20.99% </td><td align=right> 15.44% </td><td align=right> 16.21% </td><td align=right> 18.93% </td><td align=right> 18.67% </td><td align=right> 16.45% </td></tr>
<tr><td align=leftwidth=55> T </td><td align=right> </td><td align=right> 87.51% </td><td align=right> 85.66% </td><td align=right> 84.43% </td><td align=right> 79.63% </td><td align=right> 83.28% </td><td align=right> 79.11% </td><td align=right> 63.69% </td></tr>
</tbody></table> Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-5067302920822406662019-12-31T23:56:00.000-05:002020-01-01T00:49:44.283-05:00How to Hit a Million Views without Really TryingI've all but dropped out of the blogger game, with 17 posts in 2017, 7 posts in 2018, and just this 1 in 2019. And yet somehow in that time period Ive gone from <a href=http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2016/11/hitting-half-million-view-mark.html>500,000 views</a> to over 1,000,000. That's 690,471* on the blog and 373,476 on the companion <a href=https://www.youtube.com/user/leftbankofthecharles>YouTube channel</a>. Call it the power of compound interest.
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Here are the top 10 posts on the blog:
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<table>
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<tr><th width=22 align=left>Views</th><th width=150 align=left>Post</th><th width=68 align=left>Date</th></tr>
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17,001</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2011/03/john-stamos-to-star-with-olsen-twins-in.html">
John Stamos to Star with Olsen Twins in Two and a Half Women</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
March 7, 2011</td></tr>
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8,319</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2017/03/picturing-republican-presidents-for.html">
Picturing Republican Presidents for Next 24 Years</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
March 1, 2017</td></tr>
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7,930</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2017/06/well-always-have-paris-when-it-sizzles.html">
We'll Always Have Paris When It Sizzles</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
June 1, 2017</td></tr>
<tr><td align=right valign=top>
7,889</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2017/04/trumps-great-wall-sinks-into-swamp.html">
Trump's Great Wall Sinks into the Swamp</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
April 30, 2017</td></tr>
<tr><td align=right valign=top>
7,828</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2016/11/hitting-half-million-view-mark.html">
Hitting the Half Million View Mark</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
November 14, 2016</td></tr>
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7,796</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2017/04/boston-skyline.html">
Boston Skyline</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
April 1, 2017</td></tr>
<tr><td align=right valign=top>
7,338</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2017/01/how-michael-moore-dog-whistled-trump.html">
How Michael Moore Dog-Whistled Trump Victory</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
January 31, 2017</td></tr>
<tr><td align=right valign=top>
5,954</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2016/09/stood-up-on-my-first-uber-ride.html">
Stood up on My First Uber Ride</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
September 15, 2016</td></tr>
<tr><td align=right valign=top>
5,808</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2017/09/future-site-of-garage-b-former-site-of.html">
Future Site of Garage B, Former Site of Lanes and Games</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
September 2, 2017</td></tr>
<tr><td align=right valign=top>
4,391</td><td align=left valign=top>
<a href="http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2011/03/harvard-reenlists-in-us-navy-rotc.html">
Harvard Reenlists in the U.S. Navy ROTC</a></td><td align=left valign=top>
March 5, 2011</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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* I should mention that 198,418 views came from a bot farm in Romania, so I'll need to do this post again for real when I hit the 1.2 million mark. Meanwhile, there is another run over on YouTube, with 124,630 views and counting on the video <a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXHBfOul1YY>Calling Cows to the Bull Fight</a>.
Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-35630346317436912272018-07-07T12:08:00.000-04:002018-08-01T13:14:20.566-04:00Starkly Living Free and Dying in New HampshireAt <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stark_Park">Stark Park</a> in Manchester, New Hampshire on Saturday, July 7, 2018.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZhIcSb6CcQ4OxOWGrsRTVZ2ALU8JyKhazVLpR4kD6EVGZmufyVJoC-VGFjODVV0yr5V13d_vogThOV4QJ0E0YuPTTfHoD3KmuN1fxvFvs8zUwy5KN9zCcKuJK8DYxU9NDbBEs-Y16FTJ/s1600/79B94BAE-D4A6-4FF5-A549-A13D202C9C77.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZhIcSb6CcQ4OxOWGrsRTVZ2ALU8JyKhazVLpR4kD6EVGZmufyVJoC-VGFjODVV0yr5V13d_vogThOV4QJ0E0YuPTTfHoD3KmuN1fxvFvs8zUwy5KN9zCcKuJK8DYxU9NDbBEs-Y16FTJ/s1600/79B94BAE-D4A6-4FF5-A549-A13D202C9C77.jpeg" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>
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Colonel <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stark">John Stark</a>'s 1st New Hampshire Regiment repulsed three British charges at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3U1Q2rof_YVFPz-z13BtLbR8oJAXBKh7e1xt1wncbM2FMxC_TUbX5s6LdYkjMOv5q0tiXzKYLGyebpCrxKRgIqDGCxEopl6I78qzV7mn8j9VyuxFY5TimRJcApAx7OfZ5S2tebPJMWOL/s1600/115E397A-02A7-4632-A9CA-0C7038A0FDE8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3U1Q2rof_YVFPz-z13BtLbR8oJAXBKh7e1xt1wncbM2FMxC_TUbX5s6LdYkjMOv5q0tiXzKYLGyebpCrxKRgIqDGCxEopl6I78qzV7mn8j9VyuxFY5TimRJcApAx7OfZ5S2tebPJMWOL/s1600/115E397A-02A7-4632-A9CA-0C7038A0FDE8.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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As a Brigadier General of the New Hampshire Militia, he defeated the British at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bennington">Battle of Bennington</a>.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUlkBRFYTKpD0Z7I2HWQuQN5_dnKlU0lApTR7jYgNFqAy1McDUPjZde5vlxRiLskna55j9W1B2HqX0LuQ4WqaNzLZHo6WgzxiPCTplgp9ul1VSsUFiRfPR4ZiznnpYGgAEPGkoCXRlPhw/s1600/D3FFE9F1-68BF-45A7-A2BC-B96866FD36B5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUlkBRFYTKpD0Z7I2HWQuQN5_dnKlU0lApTR7jYgNFqAy1McDUPjZde5vlxRiLskna55j9W1B2HqX0LuQ4WqaNzLZHo6WgzxiPCTplgp9ul1VSsUFiRfPR4ZiznnpYGgAEPGkoCXRlPhw/s1600/D3FFE9F1-68BF-45A7-A2BC-B96866FD36B5.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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At Bennington he issued his second-most-famous quotation. Molly Stark did not sleep a widow that or any other night - she died in 1814 and John lived to 1822.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB14-hr-MBtbpK5eauac0qjeXY575O0kvTTvbkhDrm_C6pbRIffBvxlOzHDB7lrz51sZ2-9RZbRaTxoR6wS8f5jqbQ9wUIkj8vDrDE-FBoX-NZl6ySA9I333wKqLv2xwiO2c6Trj0n_Af/s1600/6BD92CB3-0659-4416-943A-B4AAF88578FA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB14-hr-MBtbpK5eauac0qjeXY575O0kvTTvbkhDrm_C6pbRIffBvxlOzHDB7lrz51sZ2-9RZbRaTxoR6wS8f5jqbQ9wUIkj8vDrDE-FBoX-NZl6ySA9I333wKqLv2xwiO2c6Trj0n_Af/s1600/6BD92CB3-0659-4416-943A-B4AAF88578FA.jpeg" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>
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A gun-toting, baby-carrying Molly Stark has her own statue in Wilmington, Vermont, which I visited last summer.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzSGjVnJN2-vvM9NLiL2PXSwLvQu2efHIxVjGcyzMDmxqwQHzcjnEvL-1NXfwrUgtbUNv566uGRf-T28RANChI7PqAZQJGmR2gWH5gzdn_6Mb_vfPVUNDY30JwF5meIcF6GqLrL_6T9Ey/s1600/67909235-47A4-4E37-9806-5002219045FB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzSGjVnJN2-vvM9NLiL2PXSwLvQu2efHIxVjGcyzMDmxqwQHzcjnEvL-1NXfwrUgtbUNv566uGRf-T28RANChI7PqAZQJGmR2gWH5gzdn_6Mb_vfPVUNDY30JwF5meIcF6GqLrL_6T9Ey/s1600/67909235-47A4-4E37-9806-5002219045FB.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Stark's most famous quotation, "Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils" is from a letter written after the Revolutionary War for an 1809 commemoration of the Battle of Bennington. The first part, "Live Free or Die" became the New Hampshire state motto in 1945. In 1977, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooley_v._Maynard">U.S. Supreme Court</a> recognized the right of car owners to tape that over on their New Hampshire license plates.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF_4mWqexTphHqOMNFP23-k9P8OEtK6g_TmoBxxAT2pzyg7DWErqfZn0ceXhTbD4jic98RxGWGyX-p-ZSOBGQBeKjXT7d0vd_4kJbcSanJ4r3BNVVLorxY2wvicghT40vI2sOPlYpHNkO/s1600/210C7AD9-94FB-4ED6-800A-CBB76AD2D552.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF_4mWqexTphHqOMNFP23-k9P8OEtK6g_TmoBxxAT2pzyg7DWErqfZn0ceXhTbD4jic98RxGWGyX-p-ZSOBGQBeKjXT7d0vd_4kJbcSanJ4r3BNVVLorxY2wvicghT40vI2sOPlYpHNkO/s1600/210C7AD9-94FB-4ED6-800A-CBB76AD2D552.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Final resting place of the original Live Free or Die patriot and his wife Molly on a hill above the Merrimack River on what was then their family farm. After the Revolutionary War, unlike many generals, John Stark never sought high public office.
Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-27299176418167060562018-06-01T01:00:00.000-04:002018-06-04T23:12:58.203-04:00My Garbage Is Eating Better Than I AmOn Sunday, April 1, 2018, the City of Cambridge pulled another one of its <a href=http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2016/08/dime-bags-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-dime.html>April Fools Day pranks</a>.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PKKebe76G9XRSYuE61qVMhFskZDt0QTm9LuEHY6JHavUI7ILOSvHIfkMouEGfIgOY_uEJarXT4H2qfcSPoKDmFZk8VaWjayuAy8k2MppAWbIJchF7YUF0xFDOT0w-pIT2wfDuEfdilWZ/s1600/8BCFB197-BFD1-4E7F-93DC-F23D11C7CAC7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PKKebe76G9XRSYuE61qVMhFskZDt0QTm9LuEHY6JHavUI7ILOSvHIfkMouEGfIgOY_uEJarXT4H2qfcSPoKDmFZk8VaWjayuAy8k2MppAWbIJchF7YUF0xFDOT0w-pIT2wfDuEfdilWZ/s1600/8BCFB197-BFD1-4E7F-93DC-F23D11C7CAC7.jpeg" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>
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These bright green curbside compost bins were distributed to residents across the city.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd4H8d82YmZokldXHOc2TN3sNGUVrgrnw3XYzb8R8S8nQ9pQh4ISFltfsVM7K3qnlY3g94XWpMdbjfPNMxLhpeNtIFN5sstc7VqFEh6PkTxX6I3L4KvQl4a9ztniqa1uh9qa1vvsTb1eO/s1600/D7E1ACD2-7BFB-41F6-8B39-94F58DFF636B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd4H8d82YmZokldXHOc2TN3sNGUVrgrnw3XYzb8R8S8nQ9pQh4ISFltfsVM7K3qnlY3g94XWpMdbjfPNMxLhpeNtIFN5sstc7VqFEh6PkTxX6I3L4KvQl4a9ztniqa1uh9qa1vvsTb1eO/s1600/D7E1ACD2-7BFB-41F6-8B39-94F58DFF636B.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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That brings the number of garbage cans at our three-decker to 4 - the new green one for compost, one for regular trash, a blue one for single-stream recycling, and one for yard waste. We loose lids before the cans wear out, so there are several other cans floating around the back side yard and basement. Plus we have several of the old smaller blue recycling bins. There are also separate garbage trucks for each type of garbage, and they all come by on garbage day. It's getting a bit ridiculous.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl9Nx1PaXayEMKW77P_hS2ybm_Aj_ikTbEtuHUo8BSRZNPTeuEArvCrVtB_mkZ3bNa3FPLqCE8OON7gJZumxWJE5XcMAUOtNKUhHtFRMVow0GtS2GPQXMgpovuw5S3fd8KQL-CFGN3Vc9/s1600/BE81494B-12CC-490E-BF98-18105E72F508.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl9Nx1PaXayEMKW77P_hS2ybm_Aj_ikTbEtuHUo8BSRZNPTeuEArvCrVtB_mkZ3bNa3FPLqCE8OON7gJZumxWJE5XcMAUOtNKUhHtFRMVow0GtS2GPQXMgpovuw5S3fd8KQL-CFGN3Vc9/s1600/BE81494B-12CC-490E-BF98-18105E72F508.jpeg" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>
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In addition to the big green bin, the city issued smaller compost buckets - our building got 3, one for each unit - to go inside the residence.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Wv5ILkkVbCdDsYQjuieK_tPaJ072ZFOpsJ2qVlW8FCG7nF8byLt2dWPB3rxSR5k2hv-k44K9qJRHtDXpwzU46v3a7-C2OBrtzhqdfqR9twu-dOCY2Z3ureGSntcxIAS6XvMSPpu1fehv/s1600/0A9F7DD8-D0ED-437A-BBAB-24A8CF72E93C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Wv5ILkkVbCdDsYQjuieK_tPaJ072ZFOpsJ2qVlW8FCG7nF8byLt2dWPB3rxSR5k2hv-k44K9qJRHtDXpwzU46v3a7-C2OBrtzhqdfqR9twu-dOCY2Z3ureGSntcxIAS6XvMSPpu1fehv/s1600/0A9F7DD8-D0ED-437A-BBAB-24A8CF72E93C.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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My compost bucket has been getting some interesting meals, such as this one.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG_IjUttQ-zheQvNm63W361bBFG39KNRoR-Kk9ERxrmv54-nmWZiNnw0QegOjAcSzJSQzOIlrrajuusT2MjpElmWl363fZ67IzPg5MNItwkS_o4HwT1biDNjlOR6_lNSXs1trJTMmf43_/s1600/241AEB36-DD11-49C6-9DE1-BC85D66D4950.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG_IjUttQ-zheQvNm63W361bBFG39KNRoR-Kk9ERxrmv54-nmWZiNnw0QegOjAcSzJSQzOIlrrajuusT2MjpElmWl363fZ67IzPg5MNItwkS_o4HwT1biDNjlOR6_lNSXs1trJTMmf43_/s1600/241AEB36-DD11-49C6-9DE1-BC85D66D4950.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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And this salad.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtn9x1ufN7dXVet2xJZbX_yRt1NoVLz2D5PAQCBh7RQ0JaLjoVNHU-JOdgbUCVRPHugzOHWI6wY1vlZu43iEcwTBkC2rdhuQcIqHdaSSETlEmLwyRkOcw9vk3I79oDSltfgVELCIX4Lm1/s1600/E04FF71D-F1FD-49A8-AC5B-C4F199472B10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtn9x1ufN7dXVet2xJZbX_yRt1NoVLz2D5PAQCBh7RQ0JaLjoVNHU-JOdgbUCVRPHugzOHWI6wY1vlZu43iEcwTBkC2rdhuQcIqHdaSSETlEmLwyRkOcw9vk3I79oDSltfgVELCIX4Lm1/s1600/E04FF71D-F1FD-49A8-AC5B-C4F199472B10.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Others are less appetizing.
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What is Cambridge doing with all this compost? Turning it into <a href=https://www.cambridgema.gov/Services/curbsidecomposting>methane and fertilizer</a>:
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"DPW brings food scraps and other compostables to a facility in Charlestown where it is screened to remove contaminants and blended into a slurry that has a consistency similar to cooked oatmeal. The slurry then goes into an anaerobic digestion tank that uses microbes to eat the organic material, releasing methane. The methane is captured to make clean energy in the form of heat and electricity. Remaining solids are made into a nutrient-rich fertilizer for use on agricultural fields in Massachusetts."
Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-48400667796373960322018-05-25T15:09:00.000-04:002018-06-04T23:41:10.730-04:00Hillary Clinton Was in Town to Receive a Medal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEGQXPFFZo6SeawNl3IFRX731qiquel3ITGwiTYamIvHQ6Kc0unjOIEYUVokdjvbUFCjZ2o5WZwufLG5WlDo-m4qCOaIWFIz07RliOe7XaJ9H4Oz4-vbaHP7-y5Oesl0vWPHr7gu-OZjw/s1600/5EDE8E04-C880-41D6-9C90-9E3F742CD4A0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEGQXPFFZo6SeawNl3IFRX731qiquel3ITGwiTYamIvHQ6Kc0unjOIEYUVokdjvbUFCjZ2o5WZwufLG5WlDo-m4qCOaIWFIz07RliOe7XaJ9H4Oz4-vbaHP7-y5Oesl0vWPHr7gu-OZjw/s1600/5EDE8E04-C880-41D6-9C90-9E3F742CD4A0.jpeg" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>
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Orange prison jumpsuit, Hillary mask, "Billy Rapes Them & I Slut-Shame and Victim Blame". That's professional heckling. I had to wait in line to get this picture, while an Asian-American couple took turns getting their picture taken with the Hillary cosplayer.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-50045912558668481272018-04-01T15:33:00.000-04:002018-04-04T15:55:43.133-04:00The Magically Rejuvenated Shower HeadA little <a href="https://clrbrands.com/Products/CLR-Household/CLR-Calcium-Lime-Rust-Remover">CLR</a> in a baggie goes a long way:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWf2_Z7gg8RnaXjBFPUz9JLm9FJwgzGZUuAJNVEqIR4cT9B0IS-znVSRRJmHEZklMRAAQhRrEMiEkwW7TW8PNC8bPqH7JjethpaJ-7aSEKbCaCoLewIbuIkX6WvsHDp_BFvb3FgXHVMdus/s1600/D9C4F125-E9D9-49D3-9A1B-F347921F3F42.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWf2_Z7gg8RnaXjBFPUz9JLm9FJwgzGZUuAJNVEqIR4cT9B0IS-znVSRRJmHEZklMRAAQhRrEMiEkwW7TW8PNC8bPqH7JjethpaJ-7aSEKbCaCoLewIbuIkX6WvsHDp_BFvb3FgXHVMdus/s1600/D9C4F125-E9D9-49D3-9A1B-F347921F3F42.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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I should have taken a before picture to show the low water flow with all but a few of the water jets plugged. Here is the after:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_61SRQ3tIUQAaMi8Xe-RL2U2CA6vij1O7oac_XByOyMaL9_9WpHro946oX6vJV7lS9l0jTnbX0lFmPdo3rJlWYNwUEVODtPODAjSbLMPMq5lLDU5NtrM-fJuojehe8LtREWSK_BoRPEXg/s1600/F34BF65E-B327-4BF8-857B-FD066E160D06.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_61SRQ3tIUQAaMi8Xe-RL2U2CA6vij1O7oac_XByOyMaL9_9WpHro946oX6vJV7lS9l0jTnbX0lFmPdo3rJlWYNwUEVODtPODAjSbLMPMq5lLDU5NtrM-fJuojehe8LtREWSK_BoRPEXg/s1600/F34BF65E-B327-4BF8-857B-FD066E160D06.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-22569329614764514912018-03-25T12:27:00.000-04:002018-04-04T15:31:56.377-04:00Massachusetts Militia Rallies on Boston CommonSaturday's March for Our Lives should properly be regarded as a militia rally, if you accept U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's definition of militia as meaning <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/554/570/opinion.html">all able-bodied persons</a> (OK, Scalia actually wrote men not persons). So what can possibly be unconstitutional about insisting that our fellow militia be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">well regulated</a>, like the Second Amendment says?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislVfU39T1OV54cDXutW0GAilweVj5jDNYyjVugY6iUBG1qLWxxKQq4XBSu6ex_bmV_9xyMDdzxZzg0u_D8ssIk2dpLsVuDenHx_2OhmJerkqq4-RPORJlyiu0ex7RlrpIsdMKlS-uBCF4/s1600/6177E388-166F-48B8-989A-4F2CE222C0DB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislVfU39T1OV54cDXutW0GAilweVj5jDNYyjVugY6iUBG1qLWxxKQq4XBSu6ex_bmV_9xyMDdzxZzg0u_D8ssIk2dpLsVuDenHx_2OhmJerkqq4-RPORJlyiu0ex7RlrpIsdMKlS-uBCF4/s1600/6177E388-166F-48B8-989A-4F2CE222C0DB.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Something to ponder: Why shouldn't the non-gun-carrying militia such as those gathered on the Boston Common, the National Mall in Washington, DC, and in rallies around the country, have just as much say over regulation of the militia as NRA members?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtX5ErzNQCxRwbK0ei5m8_4_-81N4P_Aahb3WYk1yLgQE8zMwDw25F1Aetl5YTDAhjqhBobzV4UeuWgZHUVj2BEV64pxwn-cDHU-sM-pWJdetW1NQhqzBw_Thm1FDbGNbQ8XjZGKBKlq2/s1600/33178B69-55B5-4DDC-AEBD-5C1F728F9602.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtX5ErzNQCxRwbK0ei5m8_4_-81N4P_Aahb3WYk1yLgQE8zMwDw25F1Aetl5YTDAhjqhBobzV4UeuWgZHUVj2BEV64pxwn-cDHU-sM-pWJdetW1NQhqzBw_Thm1FDbGNbQ8XjZGKBKlq2/s1600/33178B69-55B5-4DDC-AEBD-5C1F728F9602.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Something else to ponder: Most of what is being asked for - universal background checks, raising the age for owning rifles to 21, prohibiting assault rifles, and restricting magazine capacity - is already the law in Massachusetts.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-55501165781242353242018-02-07T23:12:00.000-05:002018-02-08T00:48:15.377-05:00Can Trump Top Reagan and Maybe Eisenhower?Yesterday was Ronald Reagan's birthday, and Donald Trump tweeted out this old picture of the two of them from thirty or so years ago:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVMlEkFRcer1bfmE81V5DMSNSCn3W5qSXihTv0_fuZ8KSeGfebX1hSfobvADUE7f7OMVYyXp6Cu5BWIfMdd3Gj8frTSGHg6z2jnG69ujGhmH32PBgwf54gmiFX9gUMzYlHnJW4NySvUcq/s1600/ReaganTrump.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVMlEkFRcer1bfmE81V5DMSNSCn3W5qSXihTv0_fuZ8KSeGfebX1hSfobvADUE7f7OMVYyXp6Cu5BWIfMdd3Gj8frTSGHg6z2jnG69ujGhmH32PBgwf54gmiFX9gUMzYlHnJW4NySvUcq/s1600/ReaganTrump.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="500" /></a>
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That brings up one of my favorite things to say to people who are very down on our current President, "I didn't vote for Donald Trump but he is on track to be the best Republican President in my lifetime." As some of the people I say this too were born in the 1950s during the Eisenhower administration, I sometimes have to add, "But maybe not in your lifetime."
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Here's how I rank the Presidents we've had since World War II. I'll rank them by political party, because a merged ranking would just provoke partisan argument (you're welcome to disagree in the comments):
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<table><tbody>
<tr><th align=center> # </th><th align=left> Republican President </th><th align=center> # </th><th align=left> Democratic President </th></tr>
<tr><td align=center> 1 </td><td align=left> Dwight Eisenhower </td><td align=center> 1 </td><td align=left> Barack Obama </td></tr>
<tr><td align=center> 2 </td><td align=left> Ronald Reagan </td><td align=center> 2 </td><td align=left> Bill Clinton </td></tr>
<tr><td align=center> 3 </td><td align=left> George H.W. Bush </td><td align=center> 3 </td><td align=left> Jimmy Carter </td></tr>
<tr><td align=center> 4 </td><td align=left> Gerald Ford </td><td align=center> 4 </td><td align=left> Harry Truman </td></tr>
<tr><td align=center> 5 </td><td align=left> George W. Bush </td><td align=center> 5 </td><td align=left> John Kennedy </td></tr>
<tr><td align=center> 6 </td><td align=left> Richard Nixon </td><td align=center> 6 </td><td align=left> Lyndon Johnson </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Where will Donald Trump rank on that list? If he's impeached he'll go straight to the bottom. But let's say that he isn't, that the economy doesn't fall into another <a href=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Recession>Great Recession</a>, and that Trump keeps us out of any major new wars or military escalations. That puts him on track to top Ronald Reagan.
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But what would Trump have to do to top the Republican President at the top, Dwight Eisenhower? Let's consider five possibilities:
<ol>
<li>Middle East. Peace between the Israelis and Palestinians would bring to close a mess that got started by the partition in the Truman years.</li>
<li>North Korea. Eisenhower campaigned for an end to hostilities, and got an <a href=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Armistice_Agreement>armistice</a>, but the war has never been settled with a peace agreement.</li>
<li>Iran. The seeds of our problems with Iran go back to Eisenhower sending Theodore Roosevelt's grandson <a href=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kermit_Roosevelt_Jr.>Kermit</a> to prop up the Shah.</li>
<li>MAGA. Economic progress on a par with the 1950s but that brings good jobs to the stagnant U.S. inner cities could also be a huge civil rights advance.</li>
<li>Climate change. If only Nixon could go to China ...</li>
</ol>
If President Trump can do them all, he may even supplant Theodore Roosevelt as the best Republican President since the end of the Civil War. Probably not quite enough for Mount Rushmore. And sorry, Donald, the number #1 slot in the all-time list of Republican Presidents is permanently taken by Abraham Lincoln.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-G6BJ5bymiRKAjOlcbZmmtVp6Ffd1XbE6pOvQ3niYmd4-Sl91UzB8L4epQj1LyuaqV-xk8KwuhflXbRInEddKURDFJrS4_zD_VarXm1TX9p32-wkqEMnSZtdVRkQv_etgi_-cexNT-zC/s1600/ReaganEisenhower.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-G6BJ5bymiRKAjOlcbZmmtVp6Ffd1XbE6pOvQ3niYmd4-Sl91UzB8L4epQj1LyuaqV-xk8KwuhflXbRInEddKURDFJrS4_zD_VarXm1TX9p32-wkqEMnSZtdVRkQv_etgi_-cexNT-zC/s1600/ReaganEisenhower.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="500" /></a>
Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-6283977875187979492018-01-31T01:00:00.000-05:002018-02-08T00:45:35.786-05:00The European Union Cookie Catch-22For at least two and a half years now, my every visit to the blogger control panel is greeted with this ominous message (<b>bold</b> added):
<blockquote>European Union laws require you to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require you to obtain consent.
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As a courtesy, we have added a notice on your blog to explain Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies.
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<b>You are responsible for confirming this notice actually works for your blog, and that it displays.</b> If you employ other cookies, for example by adding third party features, this notice may not work for you. Learn more about this notice and your responsibilities.</blockquote>
If I click the link to learn more, I get an even more stern warning:
<blockquote>If you have edited your blog in a way that hides this notice, it will be your responsibility to notify your visitors about cookies used on your blog and if necessary, obtain consent. Also, if you have added other blog features that set cookies, including third-party analytics or advertising services, you’ll need to provide additional or a different notice.
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It is your responsibility to determine, based on your cookie use, what else would be appropriate. If you choose to use a different notice, be sure you still comply with Google’s EU user consent policy. Learn more on generating cookie notices.
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Then there is this parting fine print:
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To see the notice if you’re outside of the EU, view your blog and change the country code, for example blogspot.fr or blogspot.co.uk. <b>If you use a custom domain, you won't see the notice outside of the EU.</b>
</blockquote>
Since leftbankofthecharles.com is a custom domain, that means I would have to travel to the European Union in order to determine if the cookie notice is appearing correctly.
Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-29241457469861740362017-12-25T03:38:00.000-05:002017-12-25T03:38:57.320-05:00Christmas Day by Kasey ChambersMy favorite new Christmas song:
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<iframe width="500" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NKJRCjc70gw" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-23726725597865617692017-11-26T23:00:00.000-05:002017-12-25T03:32:37.515-05:00The 2017 Thanksgiving Week of FoodHere are some of the midwestern culinary treats over the week of Thanksgiving 2017 in Michigan and Iowa.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF9svVdonyWN0LG96iWIo3jpgG31Og468O6cr1xKxaODyN2190eg_3fWKNC46wn0r21cehyphenhyphenKpV5KarZfcUB6o3xjo1t-cN35XvxuSsH4_wzIuqaErGjqVGTYdFnWADhI3gzaPruj2drRb/s1600/B47D3A5A-0FA7-409D-B77D-9621F85298FB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF9svVdonyWN0LG96iWIo3jpgG31Og468O6cr1xKxaODyN2190eg_3fWKNC46wn0r21cehyphenhyphenKpV5KarZfcUB6o3xjo1t-cN35XvxuSsH4_wzIuqaErGjqVGTYdFnWADhI3gzaPruj2drRb/s1600/B47D3A5A-0FA7-409D-B77D-9621F85298FB.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Cupcake at a cousin's birthday party. Forget dipping your Oreo in a glass of milk.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklae4qAeWFrl8oeapV4SGembejOOGErgWKTyjzsXkuoGjn2FrXD4a-XbAOTeHHmZJSTXoi2p9XP3cGLi1P1f1XfhaJw5spJt_krOvKqKQVfvQFz-1CP4r2PznqVpFVo0Vz3QALkJN54EQ/s1600/B9685D19-5B87-4669-B85C-88F113B4170F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklae4qAeWFrl8oeapV4SGembejOOGErgWKTyjzsXkuoGjn2FrXD4a-XbAOTeHHmZJSTXoi2p9XP3cGLi1P1f1XfhaJw5spJt_krOvKqKQVfvQFz-1CP4r2PznqVpFVo0Vz3QALkJN54EQ/s1600/B9685D19-5B87-4669-B85C-88F113B4170F.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Breakfast at the Dearborn Inn.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqzjfQQ8_k1LJjlLzDNjxtVhCQs8cfQWdN66GzUJ5OUiFPDiq0C17jMNGYnsmH9a52EK3aHySpPajoYhZwQDZN-gcOEm_nuXH_Ni9nSl_Sw95cJ_Jf9dhp5rM7cSO-iderhUZwcwTX54d/s1600/7DF2F84D-256E-4172-8777-A3786B13F8CE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqzjfQQ8_k1LJjlLzDNjxtVhCQs8cfQWdN66GzUJ5OUiFPDiq0C17jMNGYnsmH9a52EK3aHySpPajoYhZwQDZN-gcOEm_nuXH_Ni9nSl_Sw95cJ_Jf9dhp5rM7cSO-iderhUZwcwTX54d/s1600/7DF2F84D-256E-4172-8777-A3786B13F8CE.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Godfather's Pizza at the Bedford Country Store.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZJAmIclw7LMvBPIvrluhQxtDoSgWn4MHXw08TSPgPnlBDjypL74ELtdCRZIAIFzD81NTLO7RRwX7FrIyL5NC670ebXWaC1sthlxvjL08uMH8dlThYfXHn5yEcyu3L0pj6ETPWR1Rb2LU/s1600/9C6FA065-9922-4ABD-880E-E4BCE1F21DE4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZJAmIclw7LMvBPIvrluhQxtDoSgWn4MHXw08TSPgPnlBDjypL74ELtdCRZIAIFzD81NTLO7RRwX7FrIyL5NC670ebXWaC1sthlxvjL08uMH8dlThYfXHn5yEcyu3L0pj6ETPWR1Rb2LU/s1600/9C6FA065-9922-4ABD-880E-E4BCE1F21DE4.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Ham balls!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x491Pj8AtOkd5xRSO82TSjmaPvrx7KudwNNJ6H761TCaBwxaT6Vx3A1gFe9GQfXps9HtIYiD7TfxcDR8-Pyb4zCXPvzlGmMnKYdIl-fgGvuApV9T7A9Gr5TKaH8b9sh9REFJlL5X5Vf8/s1600/F2F14F52-C75B-411B-8BDB-6CF8A0369C58.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x491Pj8AtOkd5xRSO82TSjmaPvrx7KudwNNJ6H761TCaBwxaT6Vx3A1gFe9GQfXps9HtIYiD7TfxcDR8-Pyb4zCXPvzlGmMnKYdIl-fgGvuApV9T7A9Gr5TKaH8b9sh9REFJlL5X5Vf8/s1600/F2F14F52-C75B-411B-8BDB-6CF8A0369C58.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Grilled tenderloin steak is the poor man's turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM50XAeVbdjvF5TnjJemCD1nJFsi5x-4jigsWO9hGNObjhG2HCrr8q3xpBQ4tn4LJQdAe1SWRldJWEb5dTCvHbfLo94FbQ2V-fMrSQZgD2l68K05H5ONJxV8rL_rw6Is_RnrT-r2UX930I/s1600/451A5758-835F-4FE5-A5BE-7AFC4D25C638.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM50XAeVbdjvF5TnjJemCD1nJFsi5x-4jigsWO9hGNObjhG2HCrr8q3xpBQ4tn4LJQdAe1SWRldJWEb5dTCvHbfLo94FbQ2V-fMrSQZgD2l68K05H5ONJxV8rL_rw6Is_RnrT-r2UX930I/s1600/451A5758-835F-4FE5-A5BE-7AFC4D25C638.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Thanksgiving dinner.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEKZlOBmILCH6UQuYIB6udyLBIbC9KWTrtuaLhyALjyx5Xxg_ZJkIFnfNKp9dZJBlcEZvYGXllgTpVgDHZ1KNy2w8MiUn3ljL_mawxkdy45hFqHMNt86tQNsZNttW5-IPeXcbQgot0B4O/s1600/B7551850-92BF-4E65-806F-2D35E9F32127.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEKZlOBmILCH6UQuYIB6udyLBIbC9KWTrtuaLhyALjyx5Xxg_ZJkIFnfNKp9dZJBlcEZvYGXllgTpVgDHZ1KNy2w8MiUn3ljL_mawxkdy45hFqHMNt86tQNsZNttW5-IPeXcbQgot0B4O/s1600/B7551850-92BF-4E65-806F-2D35E9F32127.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Cranberry marshmallow salad.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AymHep6J63yPs7zMeXNiDK7IwoFKlchZpUFftEUWqhkyuY6M0bqjhG5YTl7jBtzxQlV8P6uOKMPTxwA6FBafy8TNtzPJaaVSv_30kHJqWH9MqFaFdkUroLHUEHTdkR4OK-2Tagzxtw7H/s1600/6D69C7F8-0B9C-48C4-B920-D99D7A8A12D6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AymHep6J63yPs7zMeXNiDK7IwoFKlchZpUFftEUWqhkyuY6M0bqjhG5YTl7jBtzxQlV8P6uOKMPTxwA6FBafy8TNtzPJaaVSv_30kHJqWH9MqFaFdkUroLHUEHTdkR4OK-2Tagzxtw7H/s1600/6D69C7F8-0B9C-48C4-B920-D99D7A8A12D6.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Pumpkin pie with cranberry juice.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRqk8YSwnxVhyY16E4fW9tfVrISmHFT5aiHuEtK3Fa2PDYJqfJHGhvW31skGPU6PA1xtKB8ZjFVX4mnSA5qUFA4lkDHWDYRz6eRVZLkjRD3Kydx6kq4k_0P6Vrd6ADeB-qu4HkFuYKUz1/s1600/241EA0E3-E6C6-4EC3-8165-A883E511CAD4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRqk8YSwnxVhyY16E4fW9tfVrISmHFT5aiHuEtK3Fa2PDYJqfJHGhvW31skGPU6PA1xtKB8ZjFVX4mnSA5qUFA4lkDHWDYRz6eRVZLkjRD3Kydx6kq4k_0P6Vrd6ADeB-qu4HkFuYKUz1/s1600/241EA0E3-E6C6-4EC3-8165-A883E511CAD4.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Brownie and Diet D. Pepper at the Massena Sale Barn Cafe.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDxKG2EBuidaJkmg4eMaTiqOzuWQOtyTiojk60iAz5H0l8WUsVW1m8kijqq0NfOAyiFL6PBxpGnkuWmsuXirdFZWbXJgJYctLm1jWf5ipVhJDQuLqu27ticGzYK5_G9YaZXIQDlneM16_/s1600/A57520BE-8223-4753-B76A-76DD14AF834F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDxKG2EBuidaJkmg4eMaTiqOzuWQOtyTiojk60iAz5H0l8WUsVW1m8kijqq0NfOAyiFL6PBxpGnkuWmsuXirdFZWbXJgJYctLm1jWf5ipVhJDQuLqu27ticGzYK5_G9YaZXIQDlneM16_/s1600/A57520BE-8223-4753-B76A-76DD14AF834F.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Lunch at the Massena Sale Barn Cafe.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAvOtY9jWc0z4FY5UFVzzXeeyij7R13k8F-9U6iO2ujh3r14uAgXb3xg17GAWrr-gEIxvavA64JPocKX1BMoI8vxCawhbzwqkn1eUEe5rT7yBHrgjNeOl541FM2IspdBszPJvUKlUfGVQ/s1600/608E15A7-4D4C-40FE-BFA6-87A8B42C4AC6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAvOtY9jWc0z4FY5UFVzzXeeyij7R13k8F-9U6iO2ujh3r14uAgXb3xg17GAWrr-gEIxvavA64JPocKX1BMoI8vxCawhbzwqkn1eUEe5rT7yBHrgjNeOl541FM2IspdBszPJvUKlUfGVQ/s1600/608E15A7-4D4C-40FE-BFA6-87A8B42C4AC6.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Pizza to go on the ATV at the Bedford Casey's General Store.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKgGQgYdnC5vhaLeqgoXv7W0I2zub_kKvUAAfiCygIviqVolIm9c-xhnaWZP73vJ73pGHv2yFalbof3ThyC47W8UBD5eghZgHo8r8K9euWS5_4WKAA9Cdv1pIFazpVMGDT1bHjnzh_7ma/s1600/A3638F96-B113-4BDF-B997-05A31A85B49B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKgGQgYdnC5vhaLeqgoXv7W0I2zub_kKvUAAfiCygIviqVolIm9c-xhnaWZP73vJ73pGHv2yFalbof3ThyC47W8UBD5eghZgHo8r8K9euWS5_4WKAA9Cdv1pIFazpVMGDT1bHjnzh_7ma/s1600/A3638F96-B113-4BDF-B997-05A31A85B49B.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Pork dinner. Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-58678755396094865452017-10-31T19:11:00.000-04:002017-10-31T19:11:47.364-04:00It’s the Great Pumpkin, Norman Rockwell<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMb-TH_8d1Kzw4tTlekapbPXviHPTBNX4bx1Cra3FPi0rhgSI5SmTt5wrXZbxLSQpn6ncZ6SJk91NsfkZ1nU6BoOpxd4vXeH8_nF7uenV7af2-tvNC4W9Y0sQEgiKpu0h-E9XrlPFk4vI/s1600/F5B60E4B-22C8-4495-9282-03A76B91F97D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMb-TH_8d1Kzw4tTlekapbPXviHPTBNX4bx1Cra3FPi0rhgSI5SmTt5wrXZbxLSQpn6ncZ6SJk91NsfkZ1nU6BoOpxd4vXeH8_nF7uenV7af2-tvNC4W9Y0sQEgiKpu0h-E9XrlPFk4vI/s1600/F5B60E4B-22C8-4495-9282-03A76B91F97D.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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I came across this roadside pumpkin farmstand in Hadley, Massachusetts. Or maybe it was South Hadley.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ9xs4uyECNs0WZ8CsFyKLVysyrBzaWKweqw1LVIoFdb9mxsjOLcXKR96iYYqQeXvMsxuFCTI_VlmM7QLcuozdP_wBouZ4WqDwf9UegLR-QxPPcSuZPCaXYmXfOCH0QLale4yzJcL_u8M/s1600/DA556AEA-9006-491F-AE1B-A761E1C701A3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ9xs4uyECNs0WZ8CsFyKLVysyrBzaWKweqw1LVIoFdb9mxsjOLcXKR96iYYqQeXvMsxuFCTI_VlmM7QLcuozdP_wBouZ4WqDwf9UegLR-QxPPcSuZPCaXYmXfOCH0QLale4yzJcL_u8M/s1600/DA556AEA-9006-491F-AE1B-A761E1C701A3.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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The $1.00 pumpkin pile needs some love.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbmiIHRQBmqwnNSr2WBdc30OhoS9mGktXaH1QRpl5Abpj5hO5hMDnp4ykfO8aOUX4cjtnJLf5k6e_0KTPpFg1Munzic1JU-026dPUiLLdE8H2qrC9tUB-cUWkz4UzppuUbDbsGkHVVkVN/s1600/EB54BEBE-2229-4513-8BC7-31C3DFF2733C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbmiIHRQBmqwnNSr2WBdc30OhoS9mGktXaH1QRpl5Abpj5hO5hMDnp4ykfO8aOUX4cjtnJLf5k6e_0KTPpFg1Munzic1JU-026dPUiLLdE8H2qrC9tUB-cUWkz4UzppuUbDbsGkHVVkVN/s1600/EB54BEBE-2229-4513-8BC7-31C3DFF2733C.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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The Great Pumpkin was to be found in Norman Rockwell’s hometown, Stockbridge, Massachusetts.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-83857822656723793882017-10-21T20:20:00.000-04:002017-10-31T20:37:14.433-04:00Smooshin’ It Old School<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tCjJNu2ptqQQfASmzbKwEcm9oH5UFVVRfmp7DKgk7WmkPA06jePdvSRx2hdRsxGAmte1kBjeuwlzwovLgxXS8bFaHDaNwFzHcXJgnyAWtXM74v3x1XZr_ZHjIM8D7PIdSkPEy5uMCrn2/s1600/725A8675-7ED3-4367-9275-871D870C867B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tCjJNu2ptqQQfASmzbKwEcm9oH5UFVVRfmp7DKgk7WmkPA06jePdvSRx2hdRsxGAmte1kBjeuwlzwovLgxXS8bFaHDaNwFzHcXJgnyAWtXM74v3x1XZr_ZHjIM8D7PIdSkPEy5uMCrn2/s1600/725A8675-7ED3-4367-9275-871D870C867B.jpeg" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBrnFrPls9kwLWvVp4mun2dKYFPqkx3-RSr4abJ0jcMKneI7Cakmvz-d82QmZoBhbN0jU7Fs59SUxXaCGhtd_-GfWbvqWROZAveyTcN3sBW4v7DeoBdFYtefoa8d18K-oKe4lzmCy8f6N/s1600/35E24803-895E-4F5E-9AE6-A6071BDB9B9A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBrnFrPls9kwLWvVp4mun2dKYFPqkx3-RSr4abJ0jcMKneI7Cakmvz-d82QmZoBhbN0jU7Fs59SUxXaCGhtd_-GfWbvqWROZAveyTcN3sBW4v7DeoBdFYtefoa8d18K-oKe4lzmCy8f6N/s1600/35E24803-895E-4F5E-9AE6-A6071BDB9B9A.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlCyPqIxbvWhvDJgjVAMiKfyytU2tIbaO-CEfXkHyg6vLAVn6uX7-obVIU3IPBAyc51QcO_StCWQ4kR1-IugIDTRsINMM6aoke3yw3UOEiF5dkIPOkcbQC6bQXzFiT_0pUhaKXqH4mUTL/s1600/22F160F7-B637-47A3-9A12-28C84A8FA782.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlCyPqIxbvWhvDJgjVAMiKfyytU2tIbaO-CEfXkHyg6vLAVn6uX7-obVIU3IPBAyc51QcO_StCWQ4kR1-IugIDTRsINMM6aoke3yw3UOEiF5dkIPOkcbQC6bQXzFiT_0pUhaKXqH4mUTL/s1600/22F160F7-B637-47A3-9A12-28C84A8FA782.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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At Herrell’s Ice Cream in Northampton. I stood in line for 45 minutes at the original in Davis Square some 35 years or so ago. The wait this night was only 30 minutes. The guy behind me insisted on repeatedly singing the Bare Naked Ladies song <a href=https://youtu.be/LHacDYj8KZM>“If I Had a Million Dollars”</a>. I wanted to put him in a real green dress and send him home with Kraft dinner. Nonetheless, it was worth the wait.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-76117160142216253042017-09-09T18:31:00.000-04:002017-10-31T19:32:20.455-04:00Orange Zamboni Mop & Glow at the MFA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE70ZRd6h0JenSmpEH73QjZ4Rab32nM05KrgH_9bmL53xK_RM6gnk_Fu1aS8IR4EvbbE4MOkCPcHLy1qoRed-Va0LBqhW7dY3U7Vb4cXA04pDBu4tXCuMXnCjcaXt0TPQzR5uVB5YcJ1Qv/s1600/AFF1A705-8949-45D8-9F4D-DE277CBC0374.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE70ZRd6h0JenSmpEH73QjZ4Rab32nM05KrgH_9bmL53xK_RM6gnk_Fu1aS8IR4EvbbE4MOkCPcHLy1qoRed-Va0LBqhW7dY3U7Vb4cXA04pDBu4tXCuMXnCjcaXt0TPQzR5uVB5YcJ1Qv/s1600/AFF1A705-8949-45D8-9F4D-DE277CBC0374.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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Seen at the Museum of Fine Arts, BostonLeft Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-37827817660993710232017-09-02T20:09:00.000-04:002017-10-31T20:14:17.989-04:00Future Site of Garage B, Former Site of Lanes and Games<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAxapORp-DQj1fk7Bnr327D47WOrO3pIJx5zElFraR4ZKhheByRrLophB52UMtttP_CEN8pADscQUkZHVpaEi1Tm8f_JG0ATXY5Ho3NvycAMWL4wVacO3JydH7o9H1MMouRRqIetI3jDN/s1600/3B5CE9D2-06AE-461B-BB51-B98631114882.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAxapORp-DQj1fk7Bnr327D47WOrO3pIJx5zElFraR4ZKhheByRrLophB52UMtttP_CEN8pADscQUkZHVpaEi1Tm8f_JG0ATXY5Ho3NvycAMWL4wVacO3JydH7o9H1MMouRRqIetI3jDN/s1600/3B5CE9D2-06AE-461B-BB51-B98631114882.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZsLmJwWmt3L_T9exRarU09TMe9tb-iQRB2vPAefOTOX40-vL29lK6Ga81Dbl1su3gsHwdWz0UGJ83ULAH_WI8OoWnqhLd241ZGtJsuGE_tZ7AAJ2LDZOAFItiv_XoqzmvxA_8jKGLhtw/s1600/D77EE25A-E364-4FD4-8D46-B0CD265C28C0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZsLmJwWmt3L_T9exRarU09TMe9tb-iQRB2vPAefOTOX40-vL29lK6Ga81Dbl1su3gsHwdWz0UGJ83ULAH_WI8OoWnqhLd241ZGtJsuGE_tZ7AAJ2LDZOAFItiv_XoqzmvxA_8jKGLhtw/s1600/D77EE25A-E364-4FD4-8D46-B0CD265C28C0.jpeg" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZExNfXfxSluqEDki67abyEMDgns5Cpux6BKQw0BxpA6gxpIrqnYlf-GtVM_Vb6_gtJ0A5G_GXPiEO4D0arksiH7stpBRX4pLgpnt8pjJDnYXY-43jD5njpFdt_lpQtHBcDQWBsadY8HZ/s1600/85C0253A-24B3-4BB8-9BA8-FBB8F9163094.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZExNfXfxSluqEDki67abyEMDgns5Cpux6BKQw0BxpA6gxpIrqnYlf-GtVM_Vb6_gtJ0A5G_GXPiEO4D0arksiH7stpBRX4pLgpnt8pjJDnYXY-43jD5njpFdt_lpQtHBcDQWBsadY8HZ/s1600/85C0253A-24B3-4BB8-9BA8-FBB8F9163094.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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There is <a href=https://boston.eater.com/2017/8/14/16142660/lanes-games-cambridge-closes>reported</a> to be residential housing development coming too.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-85940957269448171612017-08-27T19:52:00.000-04:002017-10-31T19:54:09.269-04:00Chocolate Moose in Bennington, Vermont<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo-akJkddf7kEq5ktTD7jAQDCBps_LBQceujOQsKDXH-ERFzaTwO_yRQCHxGcK3jWYFLc5cLcgTJM8YaVA3Pmw_ImzA8xy6r3sMabkOEP40NxSEF8apAzvwMDSiXoZpJl3D5kNlmTw-4e/s1600/39DE2978-AD90-4097-9ACA-F5EE24812716.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo-akJkddf7kEq5ktTD7jAQDCBps_LBQceujOQsKDXH-ERFzaTwO_yRQCHxGcK3jWYFLc5cLcgTJM8YaVA3Pmw_ImzA8xy6r3sMabkOEP40NxSEF8apAzvwMDSiXoZpJl3D5kNlmTw-4e/s1600/39DE2978-AD90-4097-9ACA-F5EE24812716.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-87969306275097949412017-08-06T19:47:00.000-04:002017-10-31T19:47:34.311-04:00Herding Cattle with My Vespa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u2dKeFtCmCRfPT-yGgwxC9ZQWSyees5LVia1AC_0NarwcjN41btcmXvc2dxzdvHiVOsKXEzIbJ5JLJ_VK3IEe5BMtQ9ANc393lsLclBqvlETwBJD8J6vnc6JA7W4TKAIiKUwf3d_PyVX/s1600/E5835FD0-9025-4730-8722-B7DA7A468849.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u2dKeFtCmCRfPT-yGgwxC9ZQWSyees5LVia1AC_0NarwcjN41btcmXvc2dxzdvHiVOsKXEzIbJ5JLJ_VK3IEe5BMtQ9ANc393lsLclBqvlETwBJD8J6vnc6JA7W4TKAIiKUwf3d_PyVX/s1600/E5835FD0-9025-4730-8722-B7DA7A468849.jpeg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a>
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I happened on this herd of Hereford cattle in Wellesley while riding my Vespa.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-75264291809397732402017-07-31T23:50:00.000-04:002017-08-01T00:29:02.253-04:00Cambridge's Newest Death Trap for BicyclistsIs this a new permanent traffic jam on Brattle Street in Harvard Square?
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<img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgydijEdgpKit0Vb3PPNKvs5MfacqSbWsm6G0y25bzi-WyGkzvAm1evqNn00bB4sKdyCZDq2JLRh_xG7SgO_XJ35IOFlVFuIExprxzmRuQN4nHHC9cewTJEAozaPIv7iBIwb2E0p7j1aBv/s640/blogger-image-1318483934.jpg"></a>
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No the city has moved the curbside parking into the middle of the street in order to make room for a new bike lane.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaENNwuW9CRrcmt5Pdf0X6oGtDOvYoQqsDFsZPIQ_AIfd7__JdQ623wcxsL7POJ1J82HyR5QEOPPGgZamDk17iSRWdBy60E2ZJ-XoUNlE9mRXdLyWJjSovqg2wOp-14ZB-OBCFVf4XWFMD/s640/blogger-image--1506451451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaENNwuW9CRrcmt5Pdf0X6oGtDOvYoQqsDFsZPIQ_AIfd7__JdQ623wcxsL7POJ1J82HyR5QEOPPGgZamDk17iSRWdBy60E2ZJ-XoUNlE9mRXdLyWJjSovqg2wOp-14ZB-OBCFVf4XWFMD/s640/blogger-image--1506451451.jpg"></a>
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What could go wrong by putting a two-way bike lane on a congested one-way street? Let's count the ways. Pedestrians aren't used to looking both ways to cross the street. Delivery trucks and double parkers are frequently blocking the bike lane. Car drivers are already mistaking the bike lane for a second car lane, and some inevitably will be fooled into turning down the street the wrong way.
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But I predict the real killers will be passengers of parking cars dooring oncoming bicyclists as they pop out of the parked car. It's hard enough to teach drivers not to door you, forget about passengers, they aren't going to look.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-75096669421416731322017-06-24T19:55:00.000-04:002017-08-01T00:30:23.916-04:00Cambridge's Postmodern Sidewalk Experiment<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA92VD6ylzDbAHzcCMmx7TbE_Tzb8VsAq4opos7I1UlZ99zZz-YS2BuIq2Na78X2R1OarNlt7Ewg63Lnt_I1QzaOlBR3Io95CN5XYQjoiw8doP6wADmq0cyiZfGElR4lVn0ir7dU71Ssvk/s640/blogger-image--186822178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA92VD6ylzDbAHzcCMmx7TbE_Tzb8VsAq4opos7I1UlZ99zZz-YS2BuIq2Na78X2R1OarNlt7Ewg63Lnt_I1QzaOlBR3Io95CN5XYQjoiw8doP6wADmq0cyiZfGElR4lVn0ir7dU71Ssvk/s640/blogger-image--186822178.jpg"></a></div>
I walked by as this section of sidewalk was being poured so I was surmised to find it hardened in this state the next day. What happened? Did a union crew take an ill-timed lunch break?
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The city did eventually dig this out and repour, but it was funny while it lasted.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-17662539519554181772017-06-01T23:45:00.000-04:002017-06-02T01:34:23.936-04:00We'll Always Have Paris When It SizzlesThe Weather Channel app on my iPhone declared today was a nice day for President Trump to pull the U.S. out of the Paris accord on climate change: Road conditions wet, running conditions ideal, and the temperature a very pleasant 71 degrees Fahrenheit.
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If one thought to click play, there was also a <a href="https://weather.com/science/environment/video/ramifications-of-trump-climate-move">video</a> on the impending horribles of Trump pulling out delivered by a <s>cute weather girl</s> highly-trained meteorologist. <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/06/01/kerry_trumps_speech_pulling_us_out_of_paris_climate_deal_fake_news_has_put_america_last.html">Elsewhere on the internet</a>, there is video of former Secretary of State and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who signed the accord for the U.S. back in December 2015, saying "kids will have worse asthma in the summer."
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I'm afraid a great deal of the political problem in this country stems from confusing the question of whether something is happening with the question of what can feasibly be done about it. I have a friend with a beach house on the sand in a neighborhood behind a seawall. The wall was crumbling with age and the waves seemed to be getting higher. The town's solution was to build a higher wall. And what else could they do?
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Does it help when some of the alarmists say we are already beyond the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=climate+change+the+point+of+no+return+mojib+latif&oq=climate+change+point+o">point of no return</a>?Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-72138000472703573432017-05-27T21:00:00.000-04:002017-06-02T02:30:35.911-04:00Rockport on Memorial Day Weekend 2017The town of Rockport, Massachusetts is a bit touristy, but the aptly named harbor still has some old school fishing boats and lobster pots.
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<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjCwhKo-bl6mJwB-X2lbqh6-grzccj9QGAK-o__m4KiPMoWFAHMng2Av32PTrw2SVzR4EaWZ5ya3r-UQ3pIF2nN_4Y9YU7M-YiPTznVFUjBtk9GlPK0ihhMX9LFetAJ0yYXm7RvBr4pnr/s640/blogger-image-1087560386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjCwhKo-bl6mJwB-X2lbqh6-grzccj9QGAK-o__m4KiPMoWFAHMng2Av32PTrw2SVzR4EaWZ5ya3r-UQ3pIF2nN_4Y9YU7M-YiPTznVFUjBtk9GlPK0ihhMX9LFetAJ0yYXm7RvBr4pnr/s640/blogger-image-1087560386.jpg"></a></div>Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-23731169362063775582017-04-30T23:50:00.000-04:002017-05-01T03:09:15.869-04:00Trump's Great Wall Sinks into the SwampHere's what Donald Trump said in his <a href="http://time.com/3923128/donald-trump-announcement-speech/">announcement speech</a> on June 16, 2015:
<blockquote>I will build a great, great wall on our southern border. And I will have Mexico pay for that wall.</blockquote>
That promise became one of the hallmarks of his campaign, but got watered down in the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/25/executive-order-border-security-and-immigration-enforcement-improvements">Executive Order</a> Trump issued on January 25, 2017 shortly after he took office:
<blockquote>"Wall" shall mean a contiguous, physical wall or other similarly secure, contiguous, and impassable physical barrier.</blockquote>
Parse the "other" substitution: Trump is now talking about building something other than a wall, "similarly secure" doesn't mean secure, "similarly impassable" doesn't mean impassable, and contiguous doesn't say for how far. Then here's what he said on <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/856172056932700164">Twitter</a> this past week on April 23, 2017:
<blockquote>Eventually, but at a later date so we can get started early, Mexico will be paying, in some form, for the badly needed border wall.
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The water is getting pretty murky with "eventually" and "in some form" as Trump's response to Mexico's highly predictable refusal to pay for his big, beautiful border wall. And Trump's attempt this past week to get funding from Congress has also failed, so there will be no "early start". <a href="http://www.anncoulter.com/columns/2017-04-26.html">Ann Coulter is livid</a> but then she's no Yoda:
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Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-24958769957919387502017-04-01T23:30:00.001-04:002017-05-04T00:52:20.572-04:00Boston Skyline<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fimGCCvbTG0dAi8799m82Fgl9iKyozXg1Rf0gZ0Q_D1Ei_L9IHF9aEfsdH-qsM9SHuKR8j-Og6qMfAXLWE2qCN70eLkpEw00opGDadpm2iDtHSnWreFrRqI_3aM-fO3FKcSiXsC7T9mT/s640/blogger-image--712941609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fimGCCvbTG0dAi8799m82Fgl9iKyozXg1Rf0gZ0Q_D1Ei_L9IHF9aEfsdH-qsM9SHuKR8j-Og6qMfAXLWE2qCN70eLkpEw00opGDadpm2iDtHSnWreFrRqI_3aM-fO3FKcSiXsC7T9mT/s640/blogger-image--712941609.jpg"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiQtmkIS3q-OmHl2WmNNMuqwgnzZ-7NHv3lRZ71BAqkzJwKJDshyRsjSpCGhH6vUupC9d7YGuUZUPgNz4S41DvELzcStprlqu34AAe9_IUtuT24_y3xbV7I_98pufOGLbmKqET98eFAOG/s640/blogger-image-280291075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiQtmkIS3q-OmHl2WmNNMuqwgnzZ-7NHv3lRZ71BAqkzJwKJDshyRsjSpCGhH6vUupC9d7YGuUZUPgNz4S41DvELzcStprlqu34AAe9_IUtuT24_y3xbV7I_98pufOGLbmKqET98eFAOG/s640/blogger-image-280291075.jpg"></a>Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182558691810776835.post-34957116554415532802017-03-01T16:36:00.000-05:002017-03-01T16:49:43.116-05:00Picturing Republican Presidents for Next 24 YearsPresident Donald Trump gave what many regard as his first truly presidential speech to a joint session of Congress last night, but what struck me was that he was flanked by two men who could also become President:
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If Trump serves two terms, his Vice President Mike Pence would be age 65 at the 2024 election. If Pence is elected President and serves two terms, current U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan would be 62 at the 2032 election. And if Ryan is elected President and serves 2 terms, that brings us to 2040, which would be 24 years.
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I am not saying this is going to happen, I'm just suggesting that it could. Consecutive Presidents for 24 years from the same political party has happened once before. Democratic-Republican Party Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe were in from the 1800 to 1824 elections.
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The Republican Party has had two 16 year runs: Grant, Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur from 1868 to 1884 and McKinley, Roosevelt, and Taft from 1896 to 1912.
The Democratic Party's longest span has been 20 years: Roosevelt and Truman from 1932 to 1952.
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What would it take to set the all-time record for consecutive Presidencies? In 2040, Ivanka Trump will be 59. Grandma Ivanka could be our first female and our first Jewish President.
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Note: Some people would count John Quincy Adams in the Democratic-Republican run, but I do not, as the party had effectively collapsed by the 1824 election. But if Ivanka serves 2 terms in the above scenario, she would set the undisputed record.Left Bank of the Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494310302328322830noreply@blogger.com1