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