Calvin Coolidge Quote of the Week

This week's quote was prompted by the past week as I was listening to an audio version of FA Hayek's The Road to Serfdom (my copy of the book is currently on loan). In the book, Hayek describes how democracies can quickly turn into centralized planned states by relying a "the will of a small minority to impose upon the people"  through relying on "experts" to conduct planning exercises.

Coolidge spoke specifically about experts during an address to the American Society of Newspaper Editors on January 17, 1925:

Whoever deals with current public questions is compelled to rely greatly upon the information and judgements of experts and specialists.  Unfortunately, not all experts are to be trusted as entirely disinterested.

When one thinks today about areas of government such as the IRS and Obamacare, does this statement ring true?

A Night at the SPCO

It's been a long year for classical music enthusiasts in the Twin Cities metro as both the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) and the Minnesota Orchestra have been in significant labor disputes that have made the local music scene silent since last fall.  Fortunately, the SPCO settled their dispute this past month and are now playing great music.  As an SPCO member, I was gratified this happened.

So with the SPCO playing, I decided it was a good time to have some fellowship and attend a concert.  So a man with a strong affinity of the music of Felix Mendelssohn, I decided to attend the following concert:

So I invited 11 other fine folks to come along for this experience.   After most of us ate dinner at a local pizza shop, we walked about 10 minutes in Downtown St. Paul to the Ordway to watch the show.  

View from my seat

How did the concert go?  Well, the first five classical pieces were well played and were quite pleasant to listen to.  The Mendelssohn and Faure pieces were very, very good with lively melodies and emotional eloquence. So the first 70

 However, the last piece, written by the composer, was waaayyyy too modern for me.  The piece was suppose to note the beginning of the Torah,  yet I have to say I really couldn't tell the beginning from the middle or the end.  To me, it just sounded like a cacophony of sounds involving a piano, harp, percussion and violin.  I think I'll stick to my pre-twentieth century pieces, thank you.

But overall, it was a fantastic evening with fantastic company.  I hope to do it more often.

Next season starts this fall, but I'll take suggestions on what concerts I should purchase tickets for group gatherings.  Check out the calendar on http://content.thespco.org/events/calendar/2013/5/ and get back to me with suggestions.

Head Slapper of the Week

A another use of the term, "look out below."

It is what it is.  Three Head Slaps.

Calvin Coolidge Quote of the Week

This week's quote is from President Coolidge's inaugural address on March 4, 1925 in regards to his take on economic policy.

"The wise and correct course to follow in taxation and in all other economic legislation is not to destroy those who have already secured success, but to create conditions under which everyone will have a better chance to be successful."

After the latest legislative session in Minnesota, some policymakers and public officials could heed this advice much, much more often.

Rocky Mountain - Day 2

Today is the big day for my older sister Georgia.  After great toil in life and education, she received Bachelors degree in Nutrition and Dietary Science from Metropolitan State University at Denver.  Bravo and Bravo!

She's come a long way since bashing my head against couch armrests. That includes nearly 20 years affiliated with the Army, including extended tours in Korea and Iraq.  I'll say she's much more courageous than I am along with being much stronger and healthier than I am.  Yes, I know you would think the slimmed down EDW would please her, but she still asks some questions.

Here's some photos:

A look at the Student Union

The Center Grounds of campus

The Commencement announced 1,840 graduates, which is about four and a half times larger than my Carleton Commencement 11 years ago.   I acknowledge the effects right at the processional where 'Pomp and Circumstance" was played about a half dozen times.  

A view from my seat at Commencement

Mom was efficiently using her time 

Where I waited for Georgia after Commencement, Soccer is a beautiful game!

Congratulations Georgia!  Mom and I are quite proud of you!

So my task for this weekend is finished.  I'll be returning to Minnesota in the morning.  I do have a question that I would like you to comment on though.  This afternoon after the Commencement my sister had an open house.  Between high school, Carleton and two Master degrees, I never had an open house  (I didn't even attend my MBA Commencement).  I just never thought that I merit a party in my honor at any time because completing an educational program is something that I was expected to do.

However, I pass this question on to you.  Should it be an obligation to have an open house after completing an educational program at any level?    Please comment.

Rocky Mountain Journey - Day 1 (sort of)

Currently I'm in Denver, CO for the weekend to attend my older sister's graduation ceremony.  I came in Friday evening with my mother and had dinner at the Montana Grill, where I had bison meatloaf, which was quite good.  I then arrived at my sister's new house to retire for the evening.

I thought instead of boring you with the details in prose, I'll just record how today went.

Here's a picture of my sister to illustrate my point. (Lady on the far left).

To be continued....

Head Slapper of the Week

This week's Head Slapper involves an incident involving Kevin Williamson, a National Review columnist.  On a recent date he was on with a lady, Williamson attended "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812," a musical.  The following story occurred regarding his interactions with other females at the musical.  According to Williamson:

"The main offenders were two parties of women of a certain age, the sad sort with too much makeup and too-high heels, and insufficient attention span for following a two-hour musical," Williamson writes in his post "Theater Night: Vigilantes 1, Vulgarians 0."

When one particular woman "with too much makeup" refused to get off her phone after Williamson and his date had kindly asked her to turn it off, she suggested he mind his own business.

Here's what happened next, writes Williamson:

So I minded my own business by utilizing my famously feline agility to deftly snatch the phone out of her hand and toss it across the room, where it would do no more damage. She slapped me and stormed away to seek managerial succor. Eventually, I was visited by a black-suited agent of order, who asked whether he might have a word.

In a civilized world, I would have received a commendation of some sort. To the theater-going public of New York — nay, the the world – I say: “You’re welcome.”

Williamson ends his post with this funny bit: "There is talk of criminal charges. I will keep you updated."

Applaud Williamson for his stand against inappropriate cellphone use and excessive farding.  But what's up with those ladies?   

Three Head Slaps

Calvin Coolidge Quote of the Week

This week's Calvin Coolidge Quote of the Week is from a Presidential address he delivered at the White House on July 25, 1924 that was transmitted to a Boy Scout delegation about to sail to Denmark for an international meeting.  The striking note about this quote is that he delivered it at a difficult time of his life: two weeks after the death of his son, Calvin Jr.

"Without the sustaining influence of faith in a divine power we could have little faith in ourselves.  We need to feel that behind us is intelligence and love.  Doubters do not achieve, skeptics do not contribute; cynics do not create.  Faith is the great motive power, and no man reaches his full possibilities unless he has the deep conviction that life is eternally important, and that his work, well done, is part of an unending plan."

It just reminds me that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13). Don't you feel the same way?

A Look at Memory Lane

As some of you recall,  I was a politically engaged student while I was at Carleton.  I was a leader of the Carleton Conservative Union as a student.  It's been 11 years since I've been a student on campus, but the memories are still there.  One of the joys I recall being involved in the CCU was participating in the  debate on ideas in bringing different speakers on campus such as Ward Connerly, Dinesh D'Souza, WIlliam F. Buckley as well as writing columns in The Carletonian newspaper.  Recently, due to some intrepid work of the Carleton archive staff, the following picture of the back cover of the alumni magazine, the Carleton Voice, was passed along to me from the Winter 2000 issue.  

Apparently the orange juice had an effect of my demeanor and dress.  Memories...

Head Slapper of the Week

Things in Minnesota are a bit out of sync these days.  The latest evidence of that is the recent event at the Minnesota Arboretum, run by the University of Minnesota.

National Public Gardens Day
Friday, May 10, 2013

Celebrate National Public Gardens Day on Friday, May 10, by visiting Minnesota's premiere public garden, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Gate admission will be free for all visitors on this special day. This year, the Arboretum is attempting to break the world record for the "Largest Tree Hug" at noon in the Shade Tree Exhibit on Three-Mile Drive! The current record is 702 people, set by the Forestry Commission (UK) in Delamere Forest in Cheshire, United Kingdom. Come help break the record!

Tentative schedule of events:

• All day: Free gate admission for all visitors
• 10 a.m.-noon: book-signing with author Jim Gilbert in the Gift Store. *Special Arboretum books will be free with qualifying purchase in the Gift Store.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: "Arboretum Department Expo" in the Visitor Center for visitors to learn more about the staff. Spin-the-wheel for prize giveaways. 
• Noon-1 p.m.: Record-breaking attempt at the Largest Tree Hug in the Shade Tree Exhibit on Three-Mile Drive. Those interested in participating are asked to begin arriving at 11:30 a.m. onward. A picture will be taken of this attempt and participants will sign a record book.

Join us for a fun day in the gardens!

Background
Now in its fifth year, National Public Gardens Day celebrates the vital role public gardens play in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education.  More than 500 North American public gardens are participating in this special day, which was initiated by the American Public Gardens Association in partnership with NPGD official sponsor Rain Bird irrigation products. 

"National Public Gardens Day is a great time for families and enthusiasts to enjoy the Arboretum gardens and learn about our educational outreach and research efforts," said Ed Schneider, Arboretum director. "Our mission is to engage and educate the public on the irreplaceable value of plants." 

What happened?  Apparently success.

We broke the world record on the Tree Hug! Our count is 935, besting the record by 233 people! Thanks to all huggers —it was a spectacular sight!

Need I say more?  Four Head Slaps.

A New Feature

As I journey back into providing opinions on public policy, I thought I would provide words of wisdom from a leader that I have a truly admire and respect, President Calvin Coolidge.  I have multiple books in my bookcase regarding America's 30th president.  However, I have had trouble sharing President Coolidge's wisdom clearly since my mom tells me that speaking English is a challenge of mine.  

But I have a solution, one of the books I have is the Quotable Calvin Coolidge.  So each week I'm just going to allow Slient Cal himself provide you some wisdom each week.  This should be quite interesting.

For the first entry, I will reference President Coolidge's Inaugural address upon his re-election on March 4, 1925.  Here, President Coolidge is speaking of America's aspiration.

America seeks no empire built on blood and forces...she cherishes no purpose save to merit the favor of Almighty God.

Is this still America's aspiration?

A Stand I Make

I've decided that I will come back into the public policy area providing commentary that can be seen as insightful or myopic.  It will be what it will be.

Today I want to make a quick note regarding the MN state legislature and the Governor's hard drive to legalize same-sex marriages.  To be blunt, I call it legalized sodomy and I am opposed to it.  I oppose it not only through my Christian faith, but also for the societal and public costs such a policy would entail.

The societal costs are notable.  If (and looks more like when) sodomy is legalized in Minnesota, what costs would that entail. 

• One would be that monogamous relationships would be less likely.  For example, in the Netherlands where sodomy is ingrained in societal acceptance, a  homosexual who averages eight partners per year would seen as having a "steady partner."   

• If monogamous relationships are less likely, the occurrence of marriage would like decline as well.  In a society where monogamous heterosexual relationships are losing value, legalizing sodomy would only further disintegrate  the value of any monogamous relationship, let alone the value of marriage.  Therefore, fewer couples will marry.  This is borne out by facts such as in Massachusetts that half of sodomite couples do end up as married and that figure is only one out of eight in the Netherlands.

• More children would grow up fatherless is another obvious cost of legalized sodomy.  Fatherless children are more likely to grow up in poverty, more likely to be incarcerated and more likely to be part of a "broken home" later in life.  

Birth rates would fall.  Mother and father are needed to create children.  A declining birth rate harms society due to a shrinking taxpayer base to support a growing aging population as well as the growing demand for public services of the existing society.  That's just a fact.  Look at a country like Japan that has a quickly aging population but a low birth rate to see the fiscal troubles it is creating.

That's a couple of the societal costs, how about the public health costs.

• Sodomite make up more than half of new HIV/AIDS infections according to HIVandHepatitis.com.  There is notable evidence from the CDC that sodomites make up nearly two out of three new cases of syphilis. According to the CDC, sexually transmitted like these make up $16 billion of straight medical costs.

• Sodomite men on average live 20 years shorter than the average of all men.  This means that is 20 years less than they could of had to contribute to society as a taxpayer and a human being.  

• Sodomite men are 50 percent more likely to suffer depression based on an article written in BMC Psychiatry (a UK outfit)

These are just a few of the costs that I haven't heard about in this debate, which is really disgraceful in my myopic opinion.  But as Bob Dylan says, "The Times are a Changin"  no matter if we like it or not.

Pondering a Policy Return

Ever since the last election I said that I would disengage in public policy opinion-making for an extended period of time.    I have kept my word there, providing more commentary on life events, showing that I'm not an utterly boring person, hopefully.

However, I have gotten the itch to discuss public policy again.  Significant issues both on the social and economic fronts are on my mind that i do have an opinion to provide.  I could say it would be an informed one based on my education with a Masters in Public Policy, but I wouldn't want to be seen as that prideful.  So I'll just say it would be at least a myopic opinion.

So I'm wants some feedback from you.  Should I provide public policy opinions?  Would you be bored if I did?

BTW, I was informed by a blog reader that I've been writing some sort of blog or listserve for over ten years now.  More evidence that I am indeed aging before your eyes.

Please provide some comments to help me in my decision.

Had Enough?

When I saw snow flying outside my window this morning, this pretty much summed up my thoughts.