Usual stuff @ council last night. Over $27,000 paid to EPD for October overtime. EFD overtime will probably come up for a ‘yes’ vote next meeting.

During the 2nd public portion, Atty Gerhard (the person who has the ‘why Elmira fails’ blog) of West Elmira stood to address the demise of Elmira’s historic buildings, in particular the imminent bulldozing of the Armory which he feels is due to poor maintenance by the City. He presented pictures and other handouts about the building which also included pictures of the stained glass windows of a church.

If this report sounds somewhat convoluted, it is because at that point the presentation became convoluted and (for me, at least) became difficult to follow. Gerhard (I might be misspelling that name) pointed out that maintenance work had been recommended to the Iraci/Hughes reign which has gone undone. In particular, he mentioned the…

LEGAL SUBSIDIES FOR NEWSPAPERS, at the expense of poor people.

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EUGENE VOLOKH debunks bogus gun statistics:

“Handguns Are Used in Most US Assaults and Robberies,” reports a BBC caption. Uh, no: According to the Justice Department’s National Crime Victimization Survey (2005 data), table 66, handguns are used in 5.4% of U.S. assaults and 26.3% of robberies.

But expect to hear a lot of bogus gun statistics from the press in coming months.

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CALLING FOR MORE GUNS ON CAMPUS:

Well, you know what they say: People don’t stop killers. People with guns do.

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MICKEY KAUS: “The New York Times’ value has been cut in half in less than three years. It’s now worth a little more than $17 a share. In 2002, it traded above $50 a share. I wouldn’t worry about Rupert Murdoch buying the Times at this point. I’d worry about Rupert Murdoch’s nanny buying…

Does the DMV do a good enough job, for you to trust them with your children’s lives?

Hat Tip: Thanks for the Link Nina!

The Right Brain vs Left Brain test … do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise?

If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa.
You can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it.

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses logic detail oriented facts rule words and language present and past math and science can comprehend knowing acknowledges order/pattern perception knows object name reality based forms strategies practical safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses feeling “big picture” oriented imagination rules symbols and images present and future philosophy & religion can “get it” (i.e. meaning) believes appreciates spatial perception knows object function fantasy based presents possibilities impetuous risk taking

Looking for a home with a little extra weirdness? Sure you are. So I’m happy to direct you to this list of 25 really freaky houses and buildings — from the cantilevered house you see above to houses that look like space pods and buildings that look like a basket. Fun to look at, fun to imagine living in.

I was doing some work last night, late, so I decided to get a healthy and tasty burger from McDonalds. I ordered a single hamburger (sans formage), a small fry and a small lemonade. The order was delivered to me at the drive through with minimum fuss and almost no wait. The order (such as it was), was perfect. I preceded to pop a few fries in my mouth and unwrap the burger, as is my habit, I only unwrapped it half way, to ensure no unsightly ketchup mess on my clothes (Keeps the proof of my fast food transgression from the wife). I preceded to eat the burger. I would say I finished the moist tender morsel of burger goodness in 6 bites, maybe 7, don’t hold me to the number though. On finishing, I realized that I had also eaten the…

Ok Folks, I have upgraded the backend software, it ought to make for faster database access, faster image display, the use of ‘ Tags’ for catagorizing posts and a bunch of new, hopefully hidden features.  If you notice anything funky, drop me a message, ok?  Thanks!

Lately, I have noticed an enourmous number of bright yellow bikes, of all varieties, some mountain, some old time cruisers. Maybe 15% to 20% of th ebikes I am seeing in the Elmira area are painted this color. Is it an organized thing, or am just seeing a pattern where there is none.

I have always thought it would be great fun to go to all these auctions or buy from the city all the bikes that are for sale (there are metric tons), paint them all a uniform bright color (Like bright yellow) and then leave them around the city for people to use at will. It might lower gas consumption, promote exercise and give people qameans of transportation they might not otherwise have. And it would be fun.

So, is someone doing this already?

Most people who oppose socialized medicine do so on the grounds that it is moral and well-intentioned, but impractical; i.e., it is a noble idea — which just somehow does not work. I do not agree that socialized medicine is moral and well-intentioned, but impractical. Of course, it is impractical — it does not work — but I hold that it is impractical because it is immoral. This is not a case of noble in theory but a failure in practice; it is a case of vicious in theory and therefore a disaster in practice. So I’m going to leave it to other posters to concentrate on the practical flaws in the Clinton health plan. I want to focus on the moral issue at stake. So long as people believe that socialized medicine is a noble plan, there is no way to fight it. You cannot stop a noble plan…

Ok people, I am not a big fan of online petitions, as I feel that our elected representatives don’t care what we say in person, let alone via email. But, how about hitting this one up and adding your name. I have zero faith in Governor Spitzer the right thing, but unfortunately, we only have the voting booth as it woudl seem to be to early to move to the cartridge box.

Online Petition to rescind the illegal immigrants getting easy drivers licenses.

Hat tip: Brenda.