Happy New Year

My New Years' wish is a simple one. But I am certain that many people I know will not be happy with it. And they know who they are.

Aside from an economic recovery and the usual obligatory 'World Peace' I wish that everyone gets what they deserve!

Of course I have no supreme power to see to it that this wish comes true but on this annual day that boasts "The Twilight Zone" marathon would it not be great to see it happen

Let's see who would not be happy:
The entire exiting team that was the Bush administration.
Quite a few members of the company for which I worked loyally these past 15 years.
Bernie Madoff.
Countless CEOs.
Spammers and the bastards who create and distribute computer viruses.
Terrorists the world over, at least in our eyes. (It's my post so I decide.)
And many, many more.

Please feel free to add to the list but do not be too specific lest your mother-in-law actually read this blog.

Occasionally we read about the slow wheel of justice finally turning in the right direction, even if it is for the wrong crime, right OJ?

So to those I consider my friends I give you Tiny Tim's wish and repeat my wish and add a hearty heart-felt wish for your health; wealth and happiness in the New Year.

Football Imitates Government

Once again a bailout has failed, or rather the lack of one.
No one came to the rescue of Detroit and as a result they are the first NFL team to ever go OH & 16.

As a side note the Jets fired their coach Eric Mangini.
How about a former great to replace him?
I hear Brett Favre is about to become available.

Quick Time Sensitive Bailout

Detroit needs another bailout and fast.
But this time it's the Lions. They need a "W" over Green Bay on Sunday or their season will be bankrupt!

Snow Effect Lake

In winter when the white flakes blow
With cold above but warmth below
When rain doth follow all that snow
Where does the water have to go?
Lake Resch



At willows base below the mound
When skies are dark and storms abound
There is a spot where can be found
Much liquid pooling on the ground
Lake Resch



If this were Summer Spring or Fall
No touch of rain would hurt at all
But with white walls of snow so tall
The deposit left we have to call
Lake Resch

Some warmer weather comes to tease
With leafless trees in gentle breeze
But cold returns to chill and freeze
And lo so truly my eye sees
Lake Resch

Perhaps we'll move so far away
To temperate climes and live one day
Where wintry skies are blue not gray
What would be missed? I'd have to say
Lake Resch

Pardon Me

This week the President pardoned Isaac Toussie and wiped his slate clean. Mr. Toussie confessed to schemes that cost Suffolk County millions of dollars and many Long Islanders their homes.

But first of all would someone please explain why a President should be allowed to hand out pardons in the first place?
Obviously those who receive pardons have done something wrong or they would not need the high level leniency. They must have also been convicted by a jury of their peers to be placed in the position from which they are pardoned.

I understand that in some cases justice is ill served by a conviction and upon further review may be appealed and repealed but to allow a pardon merely because a man has a wealthy family or connected friends flies in the face of fairness to society. In this case Mr. Toussie only donated $28,500 to the Republican National Committee. I am surprised that the President did not hold out for more.

But what makes the most recent pardons even more abhorrent is that they have been granted by a President who should be thrown in jail and never be pardoned himself for the trampling of our constitution and many other heinous acts too numerous to reiterate here.

History may condemn Mr. Bush, as well it should but the criminals he pardoned will have a clean slate upon which they may write new scams and crimes.

If we must have Presidential pardons should they not be made after a bi-partisan board has reviewed them and agreed to them in private? The verdict from a jury of their peers must not be overturned by a jury of one friend.

What Have We Learned?

This is a quote from 2,000 years ago.

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance."



Cicero - 55 BC


We have learned very little indeed.
(Thanks Dan S.)

Rules? They Don't Need No Stinking Rules

The big guys do not have to play be the same rules as the rest of us.

As the year is coming to an end I tried to clean up my club's investment portfolio by selling off or relinquishing a worthless stock. This will enable the club to take a loss, small though it may be in this years taxes.

I called the broker and asked him to take the stock off our hands and deliver a letter stating that we have in effect sold the thing as proof for the IRS.

Unfortunately I was told that while they realize what I wish to do they have to follow some governmental rules and regulations before they can do as I ask and it could take up to 30 days. This would negate any benefit for this year's filing.

By the way the loss will be $200 total.

I wonder if the government scrutinized the likes of Bernard Madoff who seems to have been able to work on a slightly higher sum.

(Old adage - If you owe the bank $100 they own you; If you owe the bank $1Billion you own them!)

Paterson Visits Iraq?

As a New Yorker I have to wonder about the timing of Governor Paterson's visit to Iraq.
Now I am all for vacations in fact I am on a forced one ever since being laid off in September. And even our illustrious leader, President Bush has been able to take several months worth of vacations during these troubling economic times.
But Mr. Paterson, you just announced your painful budget so was this really the right time to vacate the State? (I hope you flew on a hybrid!)
Safe trip home sir and next time you feel the need to travel come visit us on Long Island. We could really use your help.