The discussion about the wonders of democracy brings to mind the old saw to the effect that democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for dinner.
Or the Fatal Sequence: "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. That that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuring, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy."
Or is it too bleak to think that monarchy will Trump democracy?
Speaking of remodeling projects in the movies brings to mind the classic Cary Grant/Myrna Loy 1948 movie "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House." It should be mandatory viewing for anyone contemplating taking on such a project.
Cumgranisallis's remarks about shifting attitudes concerning acceptable female conduct and attire brought to my mind something from my somewhat misspent youth: in the summer of 1969, the State of Washington reformed its liquor laws to, among other things, permit women to sit at the bar in cocktail lounges and other establishments that sold adult beverages to be consumed on the premises. In the men's room in one such establishment in Winlock, Washington, I took note of the following bit of doggerel mildly protesting the changing mores, to wit: "I don't mind women sitting at a bar; And I don't mind women driving a car; But when they sit straddle In an old-fashioned saddle-- That's stretching the whole business too far."
Halibut cheeks are the most prized part of the prized halibut here in Alaska, particularly fine when fresh caught yourself in the icy waters of Kachemak Bay. Bake in butter, grated parmesan, chopped macadamia nuts, and a touch of paprika and lemon juice, serve with crusty sourdough bread, a crisp green salad and a flagon of pilsner and enjoy the blessings of the Far North.
In these (supposedly) more enlightened times, absinthe is once again available in many parts of the U.S.--nasty by itself, but it does jazz up a martini.
Although Bill's interpretation of "emulacion" could be correct, I think it more likely that Sam had in mind a derivation from the word "mulct," to wit: "to penalize by fining or demanding forfeiture; to take something from another by means of unseemly or deceptive methods." Plenty of that going on in that Court--as in all others.
Comments
Second Reading
About Thursday 30 October 1662
Clark Kent • Link
The discussion about the wonders of democracy brings to mind the old saw to the effect that democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for dinner.
Or the Fatal Sequence: "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. That that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuring, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy."
Or is it too bleak to think that monarchy will Trump democracy?
About Tuesday 23 September 1662
Clark Kent • Link
Speaking of remodeling projects in the movies brings to mind the classic Cary Grant/Myrna Loy 1948 movie "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House." It should be mandatory viewing for anyone contemplating taking on such a project.
About Thursday 4 September 1662
Clark Kent • Link
Cumgranisallis's remarks about shifting attitudes concerning acceptable female conduct and attire brought to my mind something from my somewhat misspent youth: in the summer of 1969, the State of Washington reformed its liquor laws to, among other things, permit women to sit at the bar in cocktail lounges and other establishments that sold adult beverages to be consumed on the premises. In the men's room in one such establishment in Winlock, Washington, I took note of the following bit of doggerel mildly protesting the changing mores, to wit:
"I don't mind women sitting at a bar;
And I don't mind women driving a car;
But when they sit straddle
In an old-fashioned saddle--
That's stretching the whole business too far."
About Wednesday 26 March 1662
Clark Kent • Link
Halibut cheeks are the most prized part of the prized halibut here in Alaska, particularly fine when fresh caught yourself in the icy waters of Kachemak Bay. Bake in butter, grated parmesan, chopped macadamia nuts, and a touch of paprika and lemon juice, serve with crusty sourdough bread, a crisp green salad and a flagon of pilsner and enjoy the blessings of the Far North.
About Friday 21 March 1661/62
Clark Kent • Link
In these (supposedly) more enlightened times, absinthe is once again available in many parts of the U.S.--nasty by itself, but it does jazz up a martini.
About Saturday 31 August 1661
Clark Kent • Link
Although Bill's interpretation of "emulacion" could be correct, I think it more likely that Sam had in mind a derivation from the word "mulct," to wit: "to penalize by fining or demanding forfeiture; to take something from another by means of unseemly or deceptive methods." Plenty of that going on in that Court--as in all others.
About Saturday 3 August 1661
Clark Kent • Link
As to Sam Pepys, and the company he keeps, one thinks of Ernest Hemingway's comment, "I only drink to make other people interesting."