Poor Richard's Anorak

Putin as Stalin?

From the outside looking in the latest show trial in Russia of former oil magnate Khordokovsky looks a lot like the Stalinist era:

Show Trial

Drivel from the Right

Some of the drivel from the far right during the run up to this election is truly disgusting. I refer specifically to the not-so-veiled threats of violence if the right doesn't get its way at the ballot box. They still can't handle the fact that they lost the Presidential election, and that someone beside a Republican is in the White House. 

Never mind the lies told by the corporate-funded astro turf groups such as Dick Armey's. The insurance companies continue to pour millions into the race to buy congressmen. And Karl Rove's Crossroads America continues to pour millions and millions into the race to keep the corporations in control. Forget oligarchy, we are sliding rapidly toward plutocracy if people don't come to their senses and avoid what Mussolini described: "Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power." 

Trio Recital

Please join us for an evening of chamber music for flute, clarinet, and piano. Barbara Prescott, flutist, David Irwin, clarinetist, and pianist Cory Hall perform music by Franz Danzi, Alec Wilder, George Bizet, and Scott Joplin. 

Free and open the the public, the concert is at 7:30 in the Music Center of St. Petersburg College, Gibbs Campus. 66th Street North and 5th Avenue North in St. Petersuburg, FL. Parking by the lake.

The Associated Press: Major study charts long-lasting oil plume in Gulf

The Associated Press: Major study charts long-lasting oil plume in Gulf.

This article details the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution research verifies the findings of the scientists from The University of South Florida. The idea that all that

chemical mess had just evaporated or been burned off, etc. is patently stupid. the effects on the growth of the fish in the Gulf will be major.

Grimaldi's Pizza Eviction

On a chilly March afternoon in 2008 the week after my brother passed away, my nephews and I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. After the walk we went to Grimaldi's for a fabulous pizza, then down the hill for some great ice cream. I'm sad to hear Grimaldi's may be evicted.

I note that Michelle, Sasha, and Malia Obama recently dined there, and and also had ice cream down the hill at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

USF says government tried to squelch their oil plume findings - St. Petersburg Times

USF says government tried to squelch their oil plume findings - St. Petersburg Times.

Perhaps they were trying to prevent embarrassing BP when they are saying 75% of the oil is just gone. Yeah, we have an idea of where it went.

Jetlagged Manifesto

Jetlagged Manifesto.

The always-eloquent Jeremy Denk.

Tony Judt obituary | Books | The Guardian

Tony Judt obituary | Books | The Guardian.

Daniel Stephen Johnson: I Think that You Will Be Amused by Our Collection of Musical Clocks

Daniel Stephen Johnson: I Think that You Will Be Amused by Our Collection of Musical Clocks.

Daily Kos: Scientists say: The Oil is NOT Gone -- even if our Attention spans are

Daily Kos: Scientists say: The Oil is NOT Gone -- even if our Attention spans are.