"The loneliest time that I have ever spent was waiting for inspiration."
This little bit of insight came to me some time ago, and as I once again sit in front of a keyboard with nothing coming out it, I am somehow reminded how difficult it can be to come up with something worth sharing. Since that appears to be beyond my grasp this weekend and in the true spirit of "Just Blowing Smoke", I thought that instead I would share some random and disjointed thoughts with you.
- Is anyone else offended by the president taking the commemoration of the anniversary of 9/11 and co-opting it as a "National Day of Service"?
- Is anyone else amused by the concept that the day after the President announces this first ever "National Day of Service" by the government, that thousands of people have gone to the very seat of power to protest at being "over-served" by that same government?
- Three days before the primary election in Toledo, I wonder how many of those longing for hope and change a little more than a year ago will show up at the polls this Tuesday?
- The Marina District development on the east side of the Maumee River is in trouble once again. The EPA says that there might be toxic chemicals still in the ground there and has told the city to get it (or at least it's paperwork) cleaned up. Meanwhile, Larry Dillin still has not delivered the promised funds to the city for the land (and with this hanging, who would blame him). Eventually this will of all get clear up of course, but my question is: Who is going to want to pay big bucks for a luxury home site or condo on a former toxic waste area to view a river that could also still use a good bit of clean up itself?
- One of our mayoral candidates is touting an economic plan that calls for eliminating the city income tax by increasing property taxes and adding a city sales tax, a plan that supposedly will bring residents and businesses back to Toledo. Now, setting aside that some or all of this may not be possible or even legal, isn't this like putting out a house fire by throwing in Molotov cocktails?
- Speaking of mayors, Toledo Mayor Carlton S. Finkbeiner has 113 days left in office according to my count. Has anyone else started counting down to the celebration?
- Toledo has a recently built baseball stadium and is about to open a new state-of-the-art Arena for hockey, arena football, and music events of every kind. Let us hope that 'Field of Dreams' was right and, "... If you build it, they will come."
3 comments:
”Is anyone else offended by the president taking the commemoration of the anniversary of 9/11 and co-opting it as a "National Day of Service"?”
Yes, me for one...
”Is anyone else amused by the concept that the day after the President announces this first ever "National Day of Service" by the government, that thousands of people have gone to the very seat of power to protest being "over-served" by that same government?”
I am not amused, but I thought it both fitting and appropriate.
”Three days before the primary election in Toledo, I wonder how many of those longing for hope and change a little more than a year ago will show up at the polls this Tuesday?”
My guesstimate would be approximately ZERO.
Only people like me (cantankerous curmudgeons with an attitude) ALWAYS vote.
”The Marina District development on the east side of the Maumee River is in trouble once again. The EPA says that there might be toxic chemicals still in the ground there and has told the city to get it (or at least it's paperwork) cleaned up. Meanwhile, Larry Dillin still has not delivered the promised funds to the city for the land (and with this hanging, who would blame him). Eventually this will of all get clear up of course, but my question is: Who is going to want to pay big bucks for a luxury home site or condo on a former toxic waste area to view a river that could also still use a good bit of clean up itself?”
Good questions. And, for the record Larry Dillin knows better than to get suckered into anything until our “beloved mayor” crosses all of the “I's” and dots all of the T's to the EPA's complete satisfaction.
Oh yeah, and there's still those pesky 100-year old plus railroad easements that need to be cleaned up to everybody's satisfaction; I almost forgot about those... ;-)
”One of our mayoral candidates is touting an economic plan that calls for eliminating the city income tax by increasing property taxes and adding a city sales tax, a plan that supposedly will bring residents and businesses back to Toledo. Now, setting aside that some or all of this may not be possible or even legal, isn't this like putting out a house fire by throwing in Molotov cocktails?”
I'm in no Mood(y) to discuss it...
Sure we can eliminate the 3/4% temporary (nearly 30-year old) tax..., by spreading it around to more people, most of which can ill afford the added burden (including ME).
How about this for a concept, LOWER SPENDING...
”Speaking of mayors, Toledo Mayor Carlton S. Finkbeiner has 113 days left in office according to my count. Has anyone else started counting down to the celebration?”
How do you figure? Are you counting to Jan. 1st as that is when our “beloved mayor” wrestled power prematurely from the legal Mayor prematurely, or until Jan 4th, as spelled out in the Charter? :-)
”Toledo has a recently built baseball stadium and is about to open a new state-of-the-art Arena for hockey, arena football, and music events of every kind. Let us hope that 'Field of Dreams' was right and, "... If you build it, they will come.”
Frankly Charlotte (excuse the poetic license; id doesn't have the same impact with “Tim...”) I don't give a damn.
Dave,
Thanks for the additional enlightenment; and for the record, I am using the 4th. I'm kinda funny about things like Charters and Constitutions.
Tim,
Bless you my son, for sticking strictly to tradition.
For without our traditions we are no better than the power/control hungry politicians...
;-)
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