Peter Shumlin Runs

Shumlin Listens

Politicians have to listen when they run. Polls predict the outcomes and rate the issues.Citizens approach, voice their likes and dislikes. Their opponents attack their ethics, experience, and motivations. And, should they be elected, they have to deal with the intricacies of an outdated legislative system and entrenched judiciary, all run and controlled by special interests. Only people who quantify their existence in terms of how much they can compromise so as not to be considered a loser and thereby be reelected would campaign honorably and hope to be elected.

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Jesse May Not Vote

I had not seen Jesse for a while, which always makes me nervous that something has happened to him or some of my other friends. He said he had stuff to do and needed to deal with the elements. He has located a brother with some help from a woman-friend who has access to the internet. The brother lives in Phoenix and has a family and a business. Jesse also said that he has a kid who lives in Boca whom he has not seen for fourteen years. “It causes me a lot of pain and sorrow.” No doubt.

“Jesse, you going to vote?”

“I don’t know if I am registered. Besides. I wouldn’t know who to vote for. None of those guys would do anything to help me would they?”

Columbus Day Flags

At the Lone Sailor
Next To Boathouse
Battery From Boardwalk

How did Columbus Day become a National Holiday? I know how it  became the day for Italian Americans. An Italo/American named Joe Columbo, one who may have had organized crime connections, didn’t like hearing bad things being said about his ancestry, so, in 1970,  he started the Italian American Civil Rights League and held a rally in Columbus Circle.

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Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds

The Birds opened this semester’s presentation by Access Cinema in Hinesburg. Very challenging list of films on Ken Peck’s list. Engaging discussion after the movie. Sixteen signed up. Ken wants the entire auditorium filled. Audacious expectations. And, I don’t think watching a movie in such an overwhelming venue will be fun or enlightening if so many people are watching.

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Fritz Lang at Fleming

To make a relationship work, you need to have things in common with your companion, otherwise you don’t have anything to talk about and you don’t need to be together. Sharon and I share film in common. Luckily, we both like film noir. Otherwise, we have lots of conflicting tastes. You could not guess correctly, if you tried who likes what.

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