Odds and Ends
Haven't posted much lately because nothing in the news has been particularly interesting to me. Somebody on the Whig used "flaunt" when the correct word was "flout" the other day, and I couldn't even rouse myself to correct it.
I've accumulated a few observations, nevertheless, that I will toss out in no particular order.
I doubt if an after-hours beatdown outside a tavern constitutes a black-on-white crime wave, but frankly I don't know enough about the incident to comment on it and will refrain from speculation. I know that violates the blogger's oath, but so be it.
Speaking of which, the collective IQ of anonymous commentators on local blogs seems to be declining lately. UMR complained recently that few people comment on the interesting articles he links to....perhaps the reason for that is that people actually have to read the articles.
I understand but don't entirely agree with the fixation city leaders have with "saving" downtown. If developers had asked for the kind of infrastructure and tax break package awarded to the Second and Front project for somewhere else in the city, would they have gotten it? I would guess not. I can be as nostalgic as the next person, but perhaps it's time to recognize that most retail activity has simply shifted to Broadway and quit trying to keep downtown on life support. By the way, how's that Newcomb Hotel project going?
Time to do some paying work for a while. More random thoughts later.
I've accumulated a few observations, nevertheless, that I will toss out in no particular order.
I doubt if an after-hours beatdown outside a tavern constitutes a black-on-white crime wave, but frankly I don't know enough about the incident to comment on it and will refrain from speculation. I know that violates the blogger's oath, but so be it.
Speaking of which, the collective IQ of anonymous commentators on local blogs seems to be declining lately. UMR complained recently that few people comment on the interesting articles he links to....perhaps the reason for that is that people actually have to read the articles.
I understand but don't entirely agree with the fixation city leaders have with "saving" downtown. If developers had asked for the kind of infrastructure and tax break package awarded to the Second and Front project for somewhere else in the city, would they have gotten it? I would guess not. I can be as nostalgic as the next person, but perhaps it's time to recognize that most retail activity has simply shifted to Broadway and quit trying to keep downtown on life support. By the way, how's that Newcomb Hotel project going?
Time to do some paying work for a while. More random thoughts later.
posted by Allthenewsthatfits at 6:40 AM
16 Comments:
What is the downside of the condo deal downtown?
UMR complained recently that few people comment on the interesting articles he links to....perhaps the reason for that is that people actually have to read the articles.
Maybe they just weren't that interesting. I mean, how many were there, two? Most of his posts don't get many comments anyway. Mostly because he berates those who disagree with him, claims they can't read then gets all offended when the thread deteriorates to name calling. His moderation doesn't help. Though I understand why he has to do it, it kills the flow. Bad business model, but damn if he doesn't have the courage to soldier on.
7:34....good question. For myself, I guess some of my discomfort has to do with the overall principle that public money should not be diverted to private ends, unless a powerful public good is being served. I'm not yet convinced of the public benefit of subsidizing (through tax breaks) the building of a retail structure with 45 high-end condos.
What would be an example of a powerful public good being served?
A town that doesn't have a doctor building a clinic and offering it rent-free to a physician in return for relocating. That would be a powerful public good.
819
I don't know what that means.
me either ..........
atntfob
Seriously, an example?
My apologies for the lack of clarity. Let's say a town has no doctor. In order to attract one, the city council votes to construct a clinic building, equip it, and offer it rent-free to a doctor who will agree to relocate to that town. That, to me, is an example of using public money to serve a public good, even though a private individual (the doctor) benefits financially from it.
I meant a Quincy example.
Ok now I understand .......
Like if the City Built a whore house and for a discount we could all get .............
;)
The record for history’s largest cocktail belongs to British Lord Admiral Edward Russell. In 1694, he threw an officer’s party that employed a garden’s fountain as the punch bowl.
The concoction? A mixture that included 250 gallons of brandy, 125 gallons of Malaga wine, 1,400 pounds of sugar, 2,500 lemons, 20 gallons of lime juice, and 5 pounds of nutmeg.
A series of bartenders actually paddled around in a small wooden canoe, filling up guests’ cups. Not only that, but they had to work in 15-minute shifts to avoid being overcome by the fumes and falling overboard.
The party continued nonstop for a full week, pausing only briefly during rainstorms to erect a silk canopy over the punch to keep it from getting watered down. In fact, the festivities didn’t end until the fountain had been drunk completely dry.
The British conquered the world for a reason: they were looking for more aspirin.
Random fact .............
God Save the Queen
The use of flaunt to mean “to ignore or treat with disdain” (He flaunts community standards with his behavior) is strongly objected to by many usage guides, which insist that only flout can properly express this meaning. From its earliest appearance in English in the 16th century, flaunt has had the meanings “to display oneself conspicuously, defiantly, or boldly” in public and “to parade or display ostentatiously.” These senses approach those of flout, which dates from about the same period: “to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock.” A sentence like Once secure in his new social position, he was able to flaunt his lower-class origins can thus be ambiguous in current English. Considering the similarity in pronunciation of the two words, it is not surprising that flaunt has assumed the meanings of flout and that this use has appeared in the speech and edited writing of even well-educated, literate persons. Nevertheless, many regard the senses of flaunt and flout as entirely unrelated and concerned speakers and writers still continue to keep them separate.
I had a wealthy, near-retirement farmer from N.E. Missouri tell me that he wants one of those condos! He's ready to sell the farm and move to his river view palace. To each their own.
I'm not even sure that the second beating was "black on white". Does anyone know? If it was, how many does it take to make a "wave", then?
4 makes a BoSox wave ..........
2 more wins = a wave
" sentence like Once secure in his new social position, he was able to flaunt his lower-class origins can thus be ambiguous in current English. "
That ROCKS ..........
A factoid : I was an orphan !
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