MsKreed

Also, when a cop pulls someone over and cites them for going 70 in a 65.... it’s a pretty strong natural impulse to want to point out if he just ignored Johnny and his three friends that flew past in the other lane.

I also think it’s always worth looking at successful models and researching what works and makes them successful. Maybe someone should do a deep dive into The Windmill. It’s open one day a week through the season (plus a few secular holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day).....and we all know that it draws steady business from several counties each week. I know that vendors need to join (and ‘own’ a share of) the Yates County Cooperative. But have no idea if that membership is open to those outside the county or what the various fees are for indoor or outdoor vending space, etc. They also regularly have live local music, as well as some “event” just about every month:

That's a very good point. I like the idea of some sort of tiered structure that draws in an equivalent to the (now defunct) concept of mall "anchor stores". Once upon a time, having those big stores provided traffic for smaller operations to benefit from. But I do think the fees for vendors need to offer some "break" for the little guys.... one-person DBA’s, family business or hobbyists who reside in the county (our taxpayers who fund and, in principle, "own" the fairgrounds). If those little guys can't compete because fees are prohibitive, then only the larger enterprises can afford to participate. And it’s not as much of community benefit that helps local (taxpaying) vendors flourish.

Now you’re getting it!! At this point....what I’ve seen brought up by Trump’s side as “election interference” refers to the gag order....if there’s also been the same argument over the investigation and charges themselves, I missed it. But whether it’s the gag order or more....if the Trump team successfully argues “campaign/election interference” then I’d think it makes sense to raise the “whataboutism” question of that decision establishing a precedent that could legally be applied to a Biden case. The entire idea of lawyers learning how to research and properly cite relevant case law is basically codified ways to say..... "whatabout Plessy v Ferguson??" and "whatabout Times v. Sullivan??"

Of course, the points I quoted refer to examples in the courtroom (in front of a judge)....like when the judge made a point of establishing that neither side could cite any precedent for the terms of Hunter’s (rejected) plea deal. But all court cases (whether a plea deal or grand jury proceedings) originate from the prosecutor....where we should expect that individuals in similar situations are treated alike, before a case reaches the judge’s bench. If precedent is completely circumvented at the prosecution level, then it nullifies the legal foundation of stare decisis. So, "whataboutism" absolutely should be raised regarding who/when charges are brought under comparable situations.

Not to dismiss the idea that tit-for-tat bickering can be a distraction.....but frankly, tossing around the term”whataboutism” as a pejorative always makes me roll my eyes. Comparing cases involving identical or similar facts, or similar legal issues has, in fact, long been considered a "foundational concept in the American legal system". Cornell Law School – Legal Information Institute The American Bar Association

I've never been on a grand jury. But from what I understand from others who have, the "burden" is a a very low bar. Essentially not much more than a hunch or suspicion. In fact one person told me the DA (in a local county) was apoplectic when they didn't indict just one of the several cases they heard.

Saw this and had to chuckle....

If you don't know about the Babylon Bee ...you're missing out. It's hilarious.

Babylon Bee is a satire page....but sadly some pundits "in the real world" are increasingly reacting exactly like the Bee's characterizations. LOL

My VPN allows me to select a region for my IP to appear from....neither Malaysia or Russia are choices. But I do have options for Denmark, Singapore, Israel, Turkey, Romania. UK and many others. Not sure how it looks on your end....but when I search Google for Coffee Shop or gas stations "near me"....the results are for wherever my VPN is set for.

Seems weird to congratulate him for getting the signatures, only to throw them out.... (maybe someone can comment and ask about it - LOL)

In his fifth term

If that discussion was the Budget Committee meeting I linked, it was pretty informal. No one from the Fair Committee was there to answer, but they mentioned the earlier request for funds (for the concert) that the Legislature rejected in May. Additionally, Legislator Morse noted the Troy Fair (that everyone uses as a contrast) i in PA and not subject to some of NYS's restrictive seasonal employment laws.

The term “disloyalty” seems like an understatement. It seems more like flat out “misconduct” and I wonder if they’re possibly subject to criminal charges for interference with a lawful election process.

The Budget Committee only had a few item on their Agenda (less than 2 minutes worth), and a brief update on the Five Star Building......Mr McCarthy asked about the Fair at about the 3:45 mark...... The Committee members all seem interested in finding some way to improve the County Fair as well as addressing year round under-utilization.....but it wasn't an official Agenda item and seems like it's not been/being brought up to the Full Legislature at this time 😔 August 7, 2023 Budget Meeting

Maybe the psychology is that, by throwing in the word “benefits” it sounds less negative? "Hey look! There's benefits to being jobless!" Either way, the “unemployment” rate has been misleading for decades. It only counts people during the period they’re eligible to collect UI benefits. The “unemployment” numbers (jobless benefits) we see reported omit all the people (including homeless) who are quietly listed elsewhere as simply “not participating” in the labor force, rather than “unemployed”. People who haven’t worked steady enough (2 consecutive quarters) to qualify for UI.....aren’t listed as “unemployed”. People who worked independently (self employed, gig work etc and don't qualify for UI).....aren’t listed as “unemployed”. People whose UI expired (after 26 weeks) and still haven’t found work.....aren’t listed as “unemployed”.

I’m careful to avoid carrying a balance on credit cards (unless it’s under a low/no interest promotion that I pay off before it expires). But I know more and more people are making “minimum payments”. And, with crazy inflation, increasingly relying on credit cards for everyday purchases, back to school shopping, Christmas, etc. At over 20% APR, many are digging themselves deeper. This is going to become unsustainable very soon: Total Household Debt Reaches $17.06 Trillion in Q2 2023; Credit Card Debt Exceeds $1 Trillion

While I do believe we need the FQHC, I also think that the County needs to direct the various entities that promote economic & industrial development to focus less on bringing low-wage, part-time jobs in retail/tourism and “temp” agency staffing.....that too often lack comprehensive employee benefit packages. The best way to reduce our local Medicaid costs is to grow a job market that reduces the number of Medicaid recipients.

Seems like the trend lately on the national level also. When there's a significant event (or death) with celebs and public figures, their official social media page is the primary source. Then "news" outlets treat it like a press release official statement and usually add background bio info like what the person is known for, past history, notable career highlights, etc..... to make it "their own". I do agree that it's lazy of the local "journalists" to not add anything beyond the FB post. They could pretend they know something else about him -- how long he's been in office, what boards or legislation or community service he's known for. Former Republican Chair? Serving in his 4th term? Been giving away Fair and Arena tickets for over a decade? Nope, : just what his FB profile states: "15th District Chemung County Legislator".

After what seemed like decades of not having them around, we actually took note a few years back that we were suddenly seeing fireflies in noticeable numbers. There’s a lot of goldenrod in the outlying fields here, so I think they like it.

You’re not wrong about this. I was going to comment about the fact that those left who were around during the Great Depression wouldn’t even recognize what is now referred to as ‘poverty’. By definition, “Boomers” are a result of the “baby boom” after WWII....a rise in births from 1946 to 1964. Their parents were more frugal and self-sufficient from surviving the Depression and the War. But they also started to (and raised their boomer kids to) enjoy the post-war economic and technical “booms” that you pointed out.....like supermarkets with abundant (and prepared) food, TV, entertainment and ‘disposable income’, etc. Many boomers grew up taking those indulgences for granted. Some boomers were still taught to appreciate the difference between “wants and needs”.....but most really can’t imagine life without both like their parents did. And even fewer Gen X (born between 1965 & 1980) ever had to get by with just basic “needs”. I think there’s some Greek or Roman philosopher that wrote about the historical cycle, and essentially said it take a full-on collapse that sets a society back to the “needs” phase so the whole sequence starts over.

Oh...there's been a growing problem with lack of saving for rainy day or emergencies.....let alone retirement for years. But her statement is problematic for a couple of reasons. If nothing else, it shows no improvement from 2019. And, if her characterization of "the average American" is accurate, then it's more widespread than the 27% cited foour years ago. Moreover, if that $400 now represents the verge of bankruptcy, it implies financial devastation.....not just a temporary hardship that selling or borrowing would cover. 27% of adults would need to borrow or sell something to pay for an unexpected expense of $400.

Nothing shouts "best economy ever" like warnings that the average American is less than a paycheck away from complete financial ruin...... VP Harris JULY 24, 2023, source: White House briefing website

A very good video about this pool from a local young man was posted on here here earlier this month