The Ron Paul r3VOLution lives on...

I'll never forget the weekend of Friday January 4 to Tuesday January 8, 2008 - the runup to the New Hampshire primary. I was there in support of Congressman Ron Paul.

On Saturday there were two debates, a Dem and a GOP debate. Ron Paul - along with Rudy, Fred, McCain, Huckabee and Mitt - participated in the Saturday debate. It was sponsored by ABC, I think.

Sunday was different though. Fox sponsored the only debate. It was a GOP debate and it had only five participants - Ron Paul was excluded. As a result, several hundred Paulistas (myself included) gathered in downtown Manchester and cheered on Ron Paul for the TV cameras. Ron Paul was being excluded by Fox News.

Fast forward 18 months... add in the 2008 nationwide Democratic landslide... and suddenly Fox News thinks Ron Paul matters:

All of a sudden, Congress is paying close attention to Ron Paul.

The feisty congressman from Texas, whose insurgent "Ron Paul Revolution" presidential campaign rankled Republican leaders last year, now has the GOP House leadership on his side -- backing a measure that generated paltry support when he first introduced it 26 years ago.

Paul, as of Tuesday, has won 245 co-sponsors to a bill that would require a full-fledged audit of the Federal Reserve by the end of 2010.

Paul attracted just 18 co-sponsors when he authored a similar bill, which died, in 1983. (read the full article - by Judson Berger - here)

The Ron Paul r3VOLution was never about Ron Paul. As I've said before, it's ideas - not personalities - that matter. And the ideas are winning. America's Political Class is worried.

Tim White

23 minors arrested for drinking

From the MRJs Jason Vallee:

Cheshire police last night made 23 arrests during a response to a house party on Deer Run Circle. Lt. Jay Markella said that if area minors continue to drink, officers will continue to identify and address the problem.

Tim White

June 9 Council meeting video is available

The June 9 Council meeting is available on the town website. Thank you Sheldon for caring about transparency and good government!

Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (26/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

Every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual. Our prayers have been rejected with disdain; and only tended to convince us, that nothing flatters vanity, or confirms obstinacy in Kings more than repeated petitioning — and nothing hath contributed more than that very measure to make the Kings of Europe absolute: Witness Denmark and Sweden. Wherefore, since nothing but blows will do, for God's sake, let us come to a final separation, and not leave the next generation to be cutting throats, under the violated unmeaning names of parent and child.

I had never read this. It's really quite strong.

Tim White

2009 CT fireworks schedule

WTNH has the 4th of July, 2009 fireworks schedule for many of the area shows.

Tim White

Council race 2009

I've been told by several people that Justin Adinolfi will be attempting a return to the Council. Depending on who runs on the Dem ticket, it wouldn't surprise me. For four years I've felt that Justin had difficulty dealing with (what I view as) the indifference of some Council members. So if some people don't run, I'd bet on Justin running again.

Any other speculation?

Tim White

P.S. No Arnie, you don't need to remind everyone how much I need to be defeated because I "hate" kids, seniors and veterans. You've made that perfectly clear already.

HR 1207 - Audit the Fed is gaining steam, Dodd still opposes such transparency

CQ Politics' Emily Cadei reports:

He may have faded from the national political scene a year ago, after his dark-horse presidential run came to naught, but Rep. Ron Paul ’s influence is still being felt in campaigns and policy debates across the country. Indeed, the latest legislative priority of the libertarian Texas Republican — auditing the Federal Reserve — has gained support in unlikely quarters.

Paul’s legislation, popularly known as the “Audit the Fed” bill, has drawn 244 cosponsors, ranging from Ohio’s John A. Boehner , the conservative Republican floor leader, to Michigan’s John Conyers Jr. , the liberal Democratic chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Some Democrats have even picked up on Paul’s rhetoric. “It’s time to yank the shroud off the Fed and shine some light on these events,” New York Democrat Edolphus Towns , chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said at a hearing last week about the shotgun marriage between Bank of America and Merrill Lynch last fall to stave off the latter’s collapse.

If such disparate members as Boehner and Conyers recognize the importance of transparency - and the power possessed - at The Beast The Federal Reserve, I'd think the Senate Banking Chairman, Chris Dodd, may be able to see the light.

Unfortunately as of May 6, Dodd opposed such transparency and went so far as to lie to Jane Hamsher about his desire for transparency:



Some may argue that Dodd didn't lie. But then, where's the followup? I'm guessing that Jane Hamsher would've provided those details. And besides, on April 2, Chris Dodd voted explicitly against revealing the names of the banks that got Bernanke's $2.2 Trillion. So why would Dodd change his tune? As far as I'm concerned, he lied to Jane Hamsher.

Btw, if Dodd would simply retrieve the money that Bernanke gave to Dodd's campaign donors Wall Street... we could afford Obama's $1 Trillion healthcare plan easily.

Tim White

Main Street Cafe closing

From the NHRs Luther Turmelle:

To Linda DeSilva, the biggest perk of owning the Main Street Cafe has been her interaction with people.

“I love the business, I love the people,” DeSilva said Friday as she and her husband, Manny, prepared to close the business she has owned for 4 1/2 years and worked at for another 4 1/2 years before that. “Most of our business has been regulars, and we try to make people comfortable.”

But the Main Street Cafe is about to be reduced to rubble to make way for a Rite Aid Pharmacy. And while Linda DeSilva is vowing to reopen later this year at another location, she acknowledges that this could be the end.

Opening again will likely be a daunting task. I understand the Dunkin Donuts in Stop'n'Shop just closed and reopened on West Main.

Tim White

2010 Congressional fundraising deadline is today

I understand today (June 29) is the deadline for 2nd quarter fundraising for the 2010 Congressional elections. If you want to donate, here's a recap of candidates in Cheshire:

U.S. Senate - GOP

Sam Caligiuri

Peter Schiff

Rob Simmons

Tom Foley

U.S. Senate - Dems

Merrick Alpert

Chris Dodd

House (CT-5)

Justin Bernier (R)

Chris Murphy (D)

Did I miss anyone?

I just donated $20.10 to Sam. I also donated to Peter Schiff a while back. I'm looking forward to seeing this race take shape.

Tim White

Cow contest at Ives Farm

The MRJs Jason Vallee reports:

Watching cows in a field may seem like a strange way to spend you afternoon, but for area residents such activities could lead to cool prizes and will support the Turning Point Christian Center....The vent will include a cookout, pony rides, games, a bake sale and more. The event take place at Ives Farm, 1585 Cheshire St. For more information of to buy tickets, contact Calvary Life at (203) 272-1701.

Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (25/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.


It is repugnant to reason, to the universal order of things to all examples from former ages, to suppose, that this continent can longer remain subject to any external power. The most sanguine in Britain does not think so. The utmost stretch of human wisdom cannot, at this time, compass a plan short of separation, which can promise the continent even a year's security. Reconciliation is now a falacious dream. Nature hath deserted the connexion, and Art cannot supply her place. For, as Milton wisely expresses, "never can true reconcilement grow where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep."


Tim White

Miss Connecticut 2009

According to the MRJ, a Cheshire girl placed well in the Miss Connecticut contest:

Sharalynn Kuziak of Southington was crowned Miss Connecticut 2009 Saturday night at the 81st annual Miss Connecticut Scholarship and Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen pageants at the Garde Arts Center.

Runners-up to Miss Connecticut were: Marie-Lynn Piscitelli of North Haven, first runner-up; Candice Dodge of Hamden, second runner-up. The third runner-up was Ashley Reid of Hamden and the fourth runner-up was Alexandria Puglisi of Cheshire.

Congratulations to all of you!

Does seem a bit odd to me that the top five contestants are all right here, geographically-speaking.

Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (24/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

This is not inflaming or exaggerating matters, but trying them by those feelings and affections which nature justifies, and without which, we should be incapable of discharging the social duties of life, or enjoying the felicities of it. I mean not to exhibit horror for the purpose of provoking revenge, but to awaken us from fatal and unmanly slumbers, that we may pursue determinately some fixed object. It is not in the power of Britain or of Europe to conquer America, if she do not conquer herself by delay and timidity. The present winter is worth an age if rightly employed, but if lost or neglected, the whole continent will partake of the misfortune; and there is no punishment which that man will not deserve, be he who, or what, or where he will, that may be the means of sacrificing a season so precious and useful.

Tim White

Three of my favorite Council colleagues

This is real simple for me. I've served with 15 other Council members.

Cheshire's 17th Council consisted of:

Justin Adinolfi, Steve Carroll, Sheldon Dill, Tod Dixon, Mike Ecke, Matt Hall, David Orsini, David Schrumm, Diane Visconti & me

Cheshire's 18th Council added three new members:

Matt Altieri, Elizabeth Esty & Tom Ruocco

Cheshire's 19th Council added three more new members:

Laura Decaprio, Jim Sima & Tim Slocum

And among those 15 people, I want to mention three members with whom I've really enjoyed serving:

1) Jim Sima (R) - the most conservative of the 15;
2) Diane Visconti (D) - the most liberal of the 15; and
3) Sheldon Dill (D/R) - he's analogous with the center.

The common denominator?

They all care.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing for me on the Council is witnessing the indifference of Council members - not on a particular issue, but seeing a pattern of indifference across the board is quite troubling to me. It really gets under my skin. To me, it's simple. If you're indifferent, why are you here? Just leave.

Tim White

US News interviews my guy - Ron Paul!

Excerpted from an interview by US News & World Report's Matt Bandyk:

President Obama's financial regulatory plan has created controversy over the role of the Federal Reserve in our economy like rarely before. The person in Congress with perhaps the most unconventional point of view on these issues in American politics is Congressman and former presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-TX), a longtime critic of the very institution of the Fed and fractional reserve banking. He has recently sponsored a bill that would audit the Fed, which has attracted cosponsors such as Dennis Kucinich (D-OH).

I talked to Congressman Paul about his unique perspective and why the Fed is controversial again.

(Bandyk): Do you think the Fed is the main culprit behind the current economic crisis?

Paul: I don't believe you can have financial bubbles without artificially expanding the supply of money and credit, and only the Fed can do that in collusion with the banks, who can operate under fractional reserve banking. So that's where the financial bubbles come from, whether it's housing or the stock market or the bond market. That's the source of the bubble, and that's what has to be addressed, and yet the Fed has been able to operate in secrecy on exactly how they allocate credit and what they do with international markets. So yes, the Fed is the number one culprit.

I seriously hope that Obama / Dodd / Frank acknowledge that monetary policy is relevant... and acknowledge it soon. If we let Bernanke continue down his chosen path of lies and fantasies, he may soon destroy the US dollar... and the knock-on effect for our republic won't be pretty.

We need to:

1) transition from fiat money to sound money;
2) transition from fractional reserve banking to full reserve banking; and
3) kill The Beast The Federal Reserve.

But for starters we can legalize the Constitution:

The Congress shall have Power... To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures

Tim White

The rail trail extension in downtown New Haven

As reported by the NHRs Mary E. O'Leary:

NEW HAVEN — A unique portion of the Farmington Canal Greenway got a public airing this week as the city presented options for the final phase of the popular walking trail.

Dean Sakamoto Architects presented three options for the mainly underground section from Hillhouse Avenue to the intersection of Grove and Orange streets.

Wow. Underground. That has got to be expensive.

Here is a map to give you a sense of the area.

Tim White

Taxi business proposed

The MRJs Jason Vallee reports:

Mubarik Mir, a taxi driver with Metro Taxi, is ready to start his own business.... Mir is proposing to open My Taxi, a new company that would provide two taxis for service in Meriden, Wallingford and Cheshire.... "I'm following the American dream and trying to open my own business," he said. "I have the experience to operate my own company and I've got records to show I've never had a complaint filed against me. All I ask is that I have the chance to try."

Sounds good to me. I love it when someone goes after the American dream.

Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (23/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

Men of passive tempers look somewhat lightly over the offences of Great Britain, and, still hoping for the best, are apt to call out, "Come, come, we shall be friends again for all this." But examine the passions and feelings of mankind: bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature, and then tell me whether you can hereafter love, honour, and faithfully serve the power that hath carried fire and sword into your land? If you cannot do all these, then are you only deceiving yourselves, and by your delay bringing ruin upon posterity. Your future connection with Britain, whom you can neither love nor honour, will be forced and unnatural, and being formed only on the plan of present convenience, will in a little time fall into a relapse more wretched than the first. But if you say, you can still pass the violations over, then I ask, hath your house been burnt? Hath your property been destroyed before your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on, or bread to live on? Have you lost a parent or a child by their hands, and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor? If you have not, then are you not a judge of those who have. But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murderers, then are you unworthy the name of husband, father, friend or lover, and whatever may be your rank or title in life, you have the heart of a coward, and the spirit of a sycophant.

Tim White

Pool updates from The Gated Castle

1) The Community Pool will be re-opening at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow.

2) We received seven proposals in response to the RFP for the Pool. The proposals are complex, and we are working on a matrix to break out the cost components and provide an analysis. The gross numbers quoted are at least as much or more than the original cost of the Pool. However, please remember that this is preliminary, and I would expect that the dollar amounts quoted can be somewhat disaggregated. Matt Altieri is scheduling a Pool Subcommittee meeting in early July to review these proposals.

What are the chances that Councilman Turf requests the $525,000 for turf be redirected to the pool? Ha.

November can't come soon enough.

Tim White

Rep. Dan Burton fillets Bernanke

Congressman Dan Burton hammers Ben Bernanke in this five minute clip. For all intents and purposes, Burton calls Bernanke a liar. Three cheers for Dan Burton!



Tim White

Ron Paul leading the anti-Fed charge

The Politico has a great piece explaining Ron Paul's long standing opposition to the Federal Reserve. Ron Paul was anti-Fed before anti-Fed was cool. Viva la r3VOLucion!

Tim White

Promises made from within The Gated Castle

The MRJs Jesse Buchanan and the Herald's Josh Morgan have reported that Superintendent of Schools Greg Florio is staying in Cheshire. I wished him well when I heard he may get a new job - and I meant it. There is a downside to him staying though.

I recall being told a story by a friend. The story really has little to do with the Sptd, but is troubling nonetheless... in relation to others in Town Government.

A friend once told me of a desire to work in the schools. My friend also mentioned that desire to someone who resides in The Gated Castle. The resident of The Gated Castle then made some comment about how a job would be found quite easily in the Cheshire schools... for this person who was a friend of this resident of The Gated Castle.

It made me sick. And yes, I realize this stuff happens all the time. But when you understand all the relationships... and the influence... and power involved. The whole situation was extremely troubling. And sorry for being somewhat cryptic. I want to protect the innocent, so I'm not giving any further details. But rest assured, the residents of The Gated Castle will understand my concern exactly.

Anyway, my point is that the relationship that Town Hall speaks to having with the schools is troubling on many, many levels. A change in leadership on at least one side would be healthy for the Town.

Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (22/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

It is the good fortune of many to live distant from the scene of present sorrow; the evil is not sufficiently brought to their doors to make them feel the precariousness with which all American property is possessed. But let our imaginations transport us a few moments to Boston; that seat of wretchedness will teach us wisdom, and instruct us for ever to renounce a power in whom we can have no trust. The inhabitants of that unfortunate city who but a few months ago were in ease and affluence, have now no other alternative than to stay and starve, or turn out to beg. Endangered by the fire of their friends if they continue within the city and plundered by the soldiery if they leave it, in their present situation they are prisoners without the hope of redemption, and in a general attack for their relief they would be exposed to the fury of both armies.

Tim White

Mixville meeting - 6/24

The Council met tonight to vote on a proposed fee structure for car parking at Mixville - there will be no fee for pedestrians and / or bicycles.

The fee structure adopted will be:

$40 for a summer pass for residents
$120 for a summer pass for non-residents
$5 for a daily pass for residents
$10 for a daily pass for non-residents

Several people behind the dais voiced their concerns about budgetary constraints within the budget.

In response - and I don't recall my exact words, but - I pointed out that these same people who are so concerned about the budget are the same people who spend money on:

1) town-owned take-home vehicles,
2) 5% to 7% raises for select Town Hall ee's this year,
3) conferences & seminars across the country,
4) the annual pool subsidy to the tune of $400,000 per year,
5) giving a sweetheart deal an easement to a major campaign contributor for $10,
6) spending nearly $250,000 on the pool this month.

I'm sick and tired of listening to Cheshire's Political Class complain about spending a few thousand dollars at Mixville when they can't stop throwing money at the pool and countless other things - $50,000 on a road consultant, $14,000 on another strategic plan, $525,000 on turf. In this economy? Where does it end?

If there are budget cuts, then it happens across the board. I'm tired of Cheshire's Political Class wasting countless dollars on the pool and neglecting Mixville... and other parks, such as Cheshire's newest quarry - Cheshire Park.

I really hope we can have a good housecleaning in November.

Tim White

Peter Schiff on the proposed financial regulation

Peter Schiff explains his view:



Tim White

NHR on high school seniors in Cheshire

The NHRs Luther Turmelle offers this piece on the CHS graduation. And the NHRs Chip Malafronte has this piece on another graduating high school senior - Notre Dame's Luke Curadi - and hopes to play in the NHL.

Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (21/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

Though I would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offence, yet I am inclined to believe, that all those who espouse the doctrine of reconciliation, may be included within the following descriptions. Interested men, who are not to be trusted, weak men who CANNOT see, prejudiced men who will not see, and a certain set of moderate men who think better of the European world than it deserves; and this last class, by an ill-judged deliberation, will be the cause of more calamities to this Continent than all the other three.

Tim White

Bernie Sanders' S 604 - Audit the Fed - is supported by Jim Demint

I love far left Senator Bernie Sanders (Populist - VT) and far right Senator Jim DeMint (Populist - SC). DeMint explains his concerns here:



We probably just need to kill The Beast The Federal Reserve.

Tim White

Local party registrations: 2007 vs. 2009

Quod Felix requested a comparison of voter registration for 2007 vs. 2009. Here it is Quod:This was a quick recap in which I did not account for voters registered with parties other than the two major ones. So it's imperfect. But I think this gives a good sense of the voter registration trends here in town over the past two years.

Two significant moments come to mind for me.

1) Lieberman / Lamont (in August 2006) got people to register as Dems in big numbers. But that was before these August '07 numbers.

2) Obama / HRC (in February 2008) got people to register as Dems in big numbers. And that happened after these August '07 numbers.

I'm confident that party registrations are trending Democratic in town. But with regard to people registering as Dems for either of those primaries, I don't see any of those issues having much impact in the local election this fall. But what do I know? We'll see though.

Tim White

GOP Senators want to further investigate Gaffey

Three GOP state Senators want to further investigate the two Democratic Senators - Gaffey and Crisco - who got in trouble with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

If I recall correctly, Cheshire's Tom Gaffey had to pay a $6,000 fine for his double-billing of travel expenses... and Hamden's Joe Crisco had to pay a $4,000 fine for his forged signature on a campaign finance form.

Tim White

CHS grads open letters from 7th graders

CHS seniors had a trip down Memory Lane.

Tim White

Leetch enters the Hall of Fame.

Cheshire's own Brian Leetch enters the NHLs Hall of Fame. The WRA reports:

Former Cheshire resident Brian Leetch, the cornerstone defenseman of the New York Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup championship team, has been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Tim White

Ron Paul: The World's Most Popular U.S. Congressman

The HuffPo's Ryan Grim has this fantastic piece on my favorite elected official - Ron Paul!

Grim tells a fascinating story about Ron Paul getting more coverage by foreign news stations than any other member of Congress.

Frankly, I'm not surprised. IMO, he's the only credible counterweight to the Internationalist / Globalist / Obama / Bush agenda that intends to push American hegemony at any cost. Thankfully as Dr. Paul bluntly notes - we can't do it, we're broke.

The question that keeps racing through my mind though... despite the anger and vitriole sent Dr. Paul's way during the GOP primaries... in the end, are his ideas winning? Will his ideas ultimately have more impact on the Obama agenda that McConnell's 40 votes?

The GOP establishment (Steele, Hannity and others) tried to trash Ron Paul. But even today here in Cheshire, I hear more Republicans telling me they wish they had voted for him in the primary.

I realize there's still a disconnect between most grassroots Republicans and Ron Paul, but the reality is we're broke. We simply can't continue on our current trajectory.

Bernanke & Geithner - the failed economic team of Bush / Obama - have decided to monetize the debt. In other words, they decided that money grows on trees.

They intend to pay back China with devalued currency... the same currency that we'll be taking home as salary. Simply put... they made a conscious decision to inflate the money supply... and we will see that in the price of consumer goods.

We will pay for this in the end. And Obama (and his predecessor) will be directly responsible for allowing much of it to happen.

I hope that Ron Paul's message continues to be heard and resonate - across America and around the world. Maybe we can still avoid some of the worst possible outcomes.

Tim White

Cheshire's voter registration numbers

I just got the list of Cheshire's registered voters today.

Interesting tidbits to me...

There's just over 18,000 registered voters. So with 27,000 residents (non-prison) and 5,000 kids in the schools... it seems likely that there are a few thousand residents who are not registered... even after last year's Presidential election. Of course, there are other relevant demographics - kids who are not yet in the school system live here. But there's probably still a few thousand people who are unregistered.

Regardless, fewer than 16,000 people voted in last year's election. So as a town, we fell somewhere south of a 90% turnout... which is far from terrible. But 100% would be fantastic.

Also, two years ago (and for at least the past decade) the 4th District was the only district in town that had more registered Democrats than Republicans. But that's no longer the case. Three of the four districts now have more Ds than Rs... though all districts are about 50% unaffiliated.

Unsurprisingly, when you exclude unaffiliated voters from the 1st District... neither Ds nor Rs represent a majority... though as of today, Rs had a one registrant plurality... with the balance consisting of Working Family, Libertarian, Green, Concerned Citizens, Independent and some party that is coded as "IT."

Imagine that... the 1st District is evenly split by party registration. It's almost as if the district would be most properly represented by someone who is a part of both parties and in many ways isn't the least bit concerned about the sentiments of either Town Committee.Anyway, I thought the real political junkies among you may enjoy this stuff. I know I always find it interesting.

I wonder if Councilman I'm truthful in my own way enjoys this? He's probably salivating over it... I'm gonna be mayor... I'm gonna be mayor. Oh brother. We don't need another.

Tim White

The Cheshire Tea Party continues...

Every Monday at Town Hall at 5pm there's a Cheshire Tea Party. Today was the third.

I just got this in an email:

Had 17 folks at the party including numerous Cheshire residents. Impressive since is was sort of raining most of the time. We will have petitions at future events.

Great feedback from the public. Every third or fourth car honked or gave us the thumbs up. It was fun.

Always good to see activists. They just better not question Town Hall, else they may face the wrath of Cheshire's Political Class. Our "loving" rulers hate being questioned.

Tim White

An MRJ human interest piece on Dr. Bob Giddings

The MRJ has a nice writeup on Dr. Bob Giddings, his land donation and his decades of work as a bird veterinarian.

Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (20/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

The authority of Great Britain over this continent, is a form of government, which sooner or later must have an end: And a serious mind can draw no true pleasure by looking forward, under the painful and positive conviction that what he calls "the present constitution" is merely temporary. As parents, we can have no joy, knowing that this government is not sufficiently lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity: And by a plain method of argument, as we are running the next generation into debt, we ought to do the work of it, otherwise we use them meanly and pitifully. In order to discover the line of our duty rightly, we should take our children in our hand, and fix our station a few years farther into life; that eminence will present a prospect which a few present fears and prejudices conceal from our sight.

Interesting, especially the part:

as we are running the next generation into debt, we ought to do the work of it, otherwise we use them meanly and pitifully.

The more things change, the more things stay the same.

Tim White

I'm not the only one souring on the POTUS

This past week I really began to sour on President Obama. The key factor for me was his proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency and his economic team - Bernanke & Geithner - that continue to spearhead such efforts. The CFPA is not only lipstick on a pig, but Bernanke & Geithner are the wrong people to enact anything of this nature.

Recall last fall when candidate Obama said:

"This is a final verdict,... on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush"

Excuse me, Mr. President. Who was leading the economic failure last fall?

Oh... that's right. It was Bernanke & Geithner.

Good judgment? I think not.

Regardless, Politico's Michael Falcone & Andy Barr are reporting that I'm not alone seeing the President in a less favorable light:

Eroding confidence in President Barack Obama’s handling of the economy and ability to control spending has caused his approval ratings to wilt to their lowest levels since he took office

I'm still hoping for the best for the President. But when you keep the same people in place, why would you expect a different outcome?

As for an explanation on why Obama's poll numbers are sagging:Gallup’s Lydia Saad said it is “not clear what’s behind the decline” in the president’s numbers, but she pointed to growing concerns over the administration’s deficit spending as a likely cause.

That sounds reasonable to me. I know that's one of my main concerns, along with negligient monetary policy.

And on a Cheshire note... I believe Lydia Saad is a Norton / CHS alum. Can anyone confirm that?

Tim White

Surfing in Costa Rica

I'm thinking... maybe the first week of July for a visit. And I've never tried surfing before, but some of these photos are pretty sweet.

I almost tried surfing once. It was June 2004, I was in San Blas, Mexico - on the wide-open Pacific blue. Absolutely unforgettable... I was travelling solo, but as usual had met up with a bunch of other backpackers. They wanted me to go lose my surfing virginity with them, but I was wiped out from a morning adventure in the local swamp... the sun was brutal. So I stayed at the hotel and took a nap... they went on to pretend to know how to surf. haha...

Anyway... I'd like to try it... even though I'm pretty confident that I'll be truly horrible. Regardless, I'm sure it'd be fun!

Tim White

Sewer inflow and infiltration to finally be addressed

Some of you may recall the inflow and infiltration (InI) sewer problem that began rearing its ugly head in May '05. Fast forward only four years and you begin to see some likely tangible improvements...

Reported by the NHRs Luther Turmelle:

A $583,000 project designed to reduce the amount of storm water that flows into the town sanitary sewer system is scheduled to begin next month.

The sad part to me is that as a non-engineer volunteer, I saw a clear indication of the InI problem in July 2007.

As far as I'm concerned, when it starts to pour and the sewer plant usage increases dramatically within minutes, even a cretin would know that water was pouring directly into the sewer pipes. But this is Cheshire!

And while the Wastewater Superintendent probably knew what was happening... and while the Council-appointed Water Pollution Control Authority would've understood his explanation... those two don't necessarily communicate.

You can thank your brilliant Town Council for ensuring the Town's organizational chart is filled with people who have been able to somehow manage to waste four years before they addressed the main issue - water pouring directly into the sewer lines.

Remember the household inspections for sump pumps? Yeah... thank the Council for that one... not much more than a waste of time. Relevant? Sure, but it didn't address the main issue.

I'm so glad there's an election nearing. This Town needs a real house cleaning. Far too much incompetence at the top levels of government - starting with the current Council majority.

Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (19/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

Europe is too thickly planted with Kingdoms to be long at peace, and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin, BECAUSE OF HER CONNECTION WITH BRITAIN. The next war may not turn out like the last, and should it not, the advocates for reconciliation now will be wishing for separation then, because neutrality in that case would be a safer convoy than a man of war. Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART. Even the distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America is a strong and natural proof that the authority of the one over the other, was never the design of Heaven. The time likewise at which the Continent was discovered, adds weight to the argument, and the manner in which it was peopled, encreases the force of it. The Reformation was preceded by the discovery of America: As if the Almighty graciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years, when home should afford neither friendship nor safety.

Tim White

Got my passport back!

My passport was set to expire in July. Thankfully, I had someone pushing me to renew it and I just got it back. A few months ago I had tentative plans for a return to Slovenia... and maybe my first foray into Croatia. I've heard fantastic things about the Dalmatian Coast. (I do have some great memories from the nearby Montenegran coast.) But those plans are not going to happen. Instead, I'm thinking about continuing my adventures in central America.

You may remember the last time I flew someplace was Nicaragua in February 2007. And now I'm thinking about continuing deeper into centroAmerica - Costa Rica and, maybe, Panama.

I have to try to rearrange some stuff, but am hoping to go ASAP. I checked flights a few days ago and RT tickets for NYC - San Jose were under $300. And since I'm not much into the luxury travel, I'm guessing I can easily get by on less than $30/day... excluding any fun stuff like jungle canopy walks or volcano treks. But it's been a while and I've been pretty frugal lately, so I'm comfortable spending some money on the one part of my life where I tend to act without knowing pretty well what to expect - exploring the developing nations of the world.

Tim White

Extending the rail trail to New Haven

The NHRs Ann DeMatteo reports that the Hamden section of the Farmington Canal rail trail is complete. There's no map, but I gather that means they extended it from the Wilbur Cross down to Newhallville. The article also says that the New Haven trail should be further extended by this fall.

If you like biking and work in New Haven, you may wanna check it out.

Tim White

Obama's CFPA is lipstick on a pig

President Obama and his Masters-of-the-Universe economic team of Bernanke, Geithner and Summers have a plan. It was announced this week that they want to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

Obama's goal?

Reported by the APs Ben Feller:

"It will have the power to set tough new rules so that companies compete by offering innovative products that consumers actually want and actually understand," Obama said.

Yet only four months ago on February 24, CNNs Political Ticker reported on Obama's address to Congress:

"People bought homes they knew they couldn't afford"

So in February, the President admitted that people knew they couldn't afford certain mortgages. Yet in June, Obama suggests that people didn't understand the mortgages they were entering.

Huh?

My guess is that Obama doesn't have any clue about what he's saying. His economic team of crooks and liars is feeding him a load of garbage. And Obama simply does not have the experience necessary to look at financial services in any sort of critical manner.

Worse yet, the two people who should have a similar interest in addressing the shortcomings of the financial services industry - Dodd & Frank - are equally clueless. In turn, the whole country is being taken down a path of further financial destruction... all to benefit their cronies in the Political Class.

When it comes to banking, Obama is in way over his head... and he doesn't even realize it.

As for a solution to address our problems, I offer:

1) a transition from fiat money to sound money;
2) a transition from fractional reserve banking to full reserve banking; and
3) the death of the Federal Reserve.

Or in even simpler terms, we could start by legalizing the Constitution. Article I, Section 8 is fairly clear:

The Congress shall have Power... To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures

But we're not going to get an intelligent, rational fix to the problems. Instead, we'll get the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. Nothing but lipstick on a pig.

I hope Obama realizes sooner, rather than later, that he's being advised by people who need to be fired. Unfortunately, as with Bush and so many other Chief Executives... many of them actually believe they can do no wrong.

Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (18/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.



But the injuries and disadvantages which we sustain by that connection, are without number; and our duty to mankind at large, as well as to ourselves, instruct us to renounce the alliance: because, any submission to, or dependence on, Great Britain, tends directly to involve this Continent in European wars and quarrels, and set us at variance with nations who would otherwise seek our friendship, and against whom we have neither anger nor complaint. As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it. It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions, which she never can do, while, by her dependence on Britain, she is made the makeweight in the scale of British politics.



In modern times, I think we could easily replace "Great Britain" with "Saudi Arabia." We still need to address our addiction to oil.



Tim White

Pelosi plays dumb on HR 1207, a bill with 234 cosponsors

Politico's Glenn Thrush and John Bresnahan are reporting that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is clueless about Ron Paul's HR 1207 - Audit the Fed. Designed to shed light on probably the most secretive aspect* of the US government - monetary policy - HR 1207 had 234 cosponsors in the House as of June 18. And you only need 218 (of 435) to pass a bill!

Pelosi isn’t a supporter — and claims to have no knowledge of Paul’s bill — but she’s sympathetic to hiking oversight, a senior Democratic aide says.

Other Democrats see the measure as a populist warning shot at the White House, which has relied on Bernanke to undertake politically poisonous bailout programs that would have been nearly impossible to ram through Congress.

“I just think it will be very hard for members of Congress to go back to their constituents and say, “I’ve got $2.2 trillion of your money at risk and I don’t know where it’s going,’” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is pushing his own bill calling for names of banks aided under Fed lending programs.

A Federal Reserve spokeswoman declined to comment. But Bernanke and top Fed officials have bridled at detailed congressional oversight of their monetary policy.

For months I've been saying that Bernanke, Geithner and Summers should be fired. But really... when three of your top reports should be fired... perhaps it's their boss who needs to go?

Tim White

* Consider that the "torture memos" discussing sources and methods were released. Yet transparency over monetary policy would apparently end civilization as we know it. Huh?

Mixville meeting date changed to Wed, June 24

I'm not sure why, but the Ordinance Review Committee meeting that will be discussing fees for Mixville has been changed. It will now happen on Wednesday, June 24 at 7:30pm in Town Hall.


The agenda says it'll be held in Council Chambers. And for those of you who are unaware, oftentimes that equates to the meeting being televised on Cox.


Tim White

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (17/53)

As I've previously discussed here, anonymity on the web and on this blog is appropriate. After all, our Founding Fathers hid behind pseudonyms routinely. In this ongoing piece, I'm highlighting one of the more famous anonymous writings from a Founding Father - Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage that this continent can reap by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge; not a single advantage is derived. Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe, and our imported goods must be paid for buy them where we will.

Tim White

P.S. In order to describe the events that took place in Tiananmen Square 20 years ago, I took a break from this 53 part piece on Common Sense. But now I'm back to it.

Geithner effectively admits that he feels Congress shouldn't touch monetary policy

The NYTimes' Dealbook was liveblogging today's Senate Banking hearing with Tim Geithner.

The two most interesting parts I noticed were:

9:50 a.m. Geithner Gets to It: The Treasury secretary begins his testimony, calling the issue a “critical debate for our country, let’s get to it.” In his opening statement, Mr. Geithner says past efforts to reform the regulatory system started too late, when the political will created during a previous financial crisis had already faded away as the economy recovered.

So Geithner starts out his testimony by saying we must act fast! But when Senator Bunning starts asking questions about the Fed's horrible monetary policy that is destroying the US dollar (and America with it), America's top-ranking known liar has a different take on the need for speed:

10:48 a.m. Loose Money: Many have blamed the Fed’s loose monetary policy for helping to inflate credit bubble that recently burst. Jim Bunning, a Republican from Kentucky, wonders if there’s anything in the proposed financial reforms that addresses the Fed’s money policy. Mr. Geithner says the legislation does not address all causes of the latest financial crisis, adding that the Fed’s interest-rate policy may need to be examined in the future.

New flash! The Federal Reserve and their destructive monetary policy includes their interest-rate policy. To ignore this is to sidestep the one of the key components of the financial meltdown. As President Andrew Jackson did 170 years ago, America's central bank must again be killed.

Geithner, Bernanke and Larry Summers all ought to be fired.

Tim White

Florio is on the short list

As many of you probably saw, Superintendent of Schools Greg Florio may very well be leaving. The NHRs Luther Turmelle also had the story today.

I've been thinking about this and while this would obviously be a trying time for the all-volunteer Board of Ed, this could be a real positive for the Town. Maybe I'll elaborate on that this weekend, but not right now.

Again, I wish Greg the best of luck! And for the BOE, you may not need to look very far for a great Superintendent. We have the perfect candidate living here in Cheshire. I'm not sure if she'd want it, but she's absolutely qualified. I'm certain she'd do a fantastic job.

Anyone happen to know to whom I refer?

Tim White

Tiananmen Square - 1989 revisited - part 28

The 28th part in a PBS piece published in 2001 by Andrew J. Nathan and Perry Link:

Following June 4, 1989...

• On June 4, 1994, the fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre, Li Peng, stills serving as Premier, announces new security regulations defining political discussions outside the Party line as sabotage.

• In June 2004, the government produces a five-hour documentary on the Tiananmen 1989 protests, portraying them as "counterrevolutionary rebellion," and requiring officials around the country to view it.

And of course we saw this on June 5, 1989:



Tim White

Chris Murphy is pro-war. Whoduh thunkit?

I seem to recall a bunch of Democrats getting elected in 2006 and 2008 as a result of Democratic activist anger over the war. Lieberman even lost his Dem nomination as a result.

Fast forward to a Democratic President and what do we see?

Congressman Chris Murphy votes to fund the war and the IMF.

Right now I'm really looking forward to hearing from the only known CT-5 Republican who wants Chris' job... because Murph has been in Washington less than three years and he's already lost his way.

And for newcomers here, I've been donating to Ron Paul for probably a decade. The righteousness of America's actions are irrelevant. The fact is that America is broke and can't afford to be either the world's policeman... or to fund globalist organizations. We're broke.

Tim White

Florio up for the Super's position in Newington?

I haven't seen the article, but I understand the MRJ ran a piece this week about Greg Florio being a finalist in the running for Superintendent of Schools in Newington, CT.

I believe Greg lives in Newington. So it's probably a good fit for him. I wish him the best of luck!

Also worth noting is that Paul Calaluce is retiring within a few weeks. So Steve Mrowka must have his hands full right now. To Steve and the BOE, good luck.

As for me, I'd find it to be quite interesting if the Town side suddenly had both the Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager leaving.

Tim White

Tiananmen Square - 1989 revisited - part 27

The 27th part in a PBS piece published in 2001 by Andrew J. Nathan and Perry Link:

Following June 4, 1989...

In September 1989, Beijing officials set up an exhibit at the city's military museum to explain why they had to forcefully end the "anti-government riot." It features more than 4,000 exhibits: burned out tanks and armored personnel carriers, photographs of soldiers who had been burned to death or hanged from overpasses, and photos of burning buses and clashes between students and police in riot gear. There is also a film depicting the army's efforts to restore order. The exhibit features some essays on democracy written by dissident Fang Lizhi, exhibited as an example of the misguided beliefs about Chinese communism that led to the demonstrations. It was one of the most popular sections of the exhibit because Fang's writings were banned.

Tim White

Some photos of Mixville - by Adam Cook

Adam Cook offers these photos of Mixville for your perusal.

Tim White

Huffington: Whistling past the economic graveyard

Arianna Huffington explains the intellectual dishonesty and wishful thinking emanating from Washington on the financial mess.

Tim White

Peter Schiff in his own words 2006 to 2007

I think Sammy will make a fine US Senator, but watch this video and I think you'll agree... Peter Schiff would make the US Senate race very interesting:



Tim White

Ordinance Review meeting on Mixville - June 22

I got the following in an email from Town Hall today:

It looks like the Ordinance Review Committee / Joint Special meeting will be held on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

I understand this meeting is intended to discuss Mixville.

Tim White

CHS 2009 Valedictorian - Jenn Ge

From the MRJs Jesse Buchanan:



High school senior Jenn Ge's subdued demeanor disappears as she starts playing Chopin on an upright piano. She hasn't practiced as much lately because of college applications, but she still plays with energy.

The first violinist in the Cheshire High School orchestra is valedictorian of Cheshire High School's Class of 2009. While she plays several instruments, paints and does set construction for school theater productions, Ge picked an unlikely major for someone so involved in the arts - applied mathematics. She hopes to become an actuary.

Tim White

Tiananmen Square - 1989 revisited - part 26

The 26th part in a PBS piece published in 2001 by Andrew J. Nathan and Perry Link:

Following June 4, 1989...

In the weeks following the Tiananmen massacre, Chinese officials stick with the party line that hordes of "counterrevolutionaries" rampaged in Beijing and throughout China and the government had been justified in forcefully ending the rebellion. Tens of thousands are arrested, many are imprisoned, and an unknown number are executed. The government states "not one person" was killed in Tiananmen Square and only 241 people died when PLA troops and "rioters" fought in the streets.

Tim White

Cheshire Chamber Notes - June 15

From the Chamber Notes:

Our next Business After Hours will be held at Alderson and Slater Funeral Home on Monday, June 29th from 5-7p.m. 615 South Main. (The corner of Elmwood Drive & South Main). More info to follow.

Cheshire Chamber Family Night - New Britain Rock Cats baseball game, Saturday, June 27th, 2009. Price is $15 per person. Gates Open 5:05 pm, picnic time: 5:35 pm, game time 6:35 pm. All-you-can-eat buffet. Kids 12 & under receive a free Rock Cat Baseball! Please RSVP Deadline is June 12th.

The Chamber will again be partners with the Travelers Championship Golf Tournament in Cromwell CT. Tournament tickets will be available to our golf tournament Gold and Key sponsors. The Chamber Golf Classic will be held on July 27th at The Farms Country Club. Please consider joining us for a fun filled day.

I stopped by Alderson on Saturday after the Strawberry Festival. As always, the Strawberry Festival was enjoyable... and tasty. And Dan Ford has done a really good job with his newly constructed funeral home. Besides the fact that I like Dan, I figured it'd be worthwhile to be nice to him. Remember, he gets us all - in the end!

And last, but not least, the Chamber has a new employee. However, Jennifer Lani is not employed exclusively at the Chamber. She leads a double life as a paparazzi of family, fashion and furry friends.

Tim White

Well tickle me pink - the 5%, 6% and 7% raises got reported!

As some of you may know, the White House press corps has something of a reputation for lobbing softballs at the POTUS. Why? Simple - they want to maintain access to the person they cover. If they lose access... they could lose their livelihood. Or at least the President (or his surrogates) could make that particular reporter's life more difficult for a time. So often a reporter has to make a choice between reporting real news or avoiding certain things that may prove problematic in maintaining access.

I sometimes wonder if the same dynamic exists in Cheshire.

Anyway, I give a big hat tip to the Herald's Josh Morgan. Despite Town Hall's best efforts at avoiding the public disclosure of certain information, such as the town's nearly two dozen take-home vehicles that get free, unlimited gasoline... if you ask questions in public and on-camera... it becomes increasingly difficult to keep information hidden by a veil of secrecy.

And the steady drumbeat of questions finally got some exposure for a particularly troublesome issue in this week's Herald:

Republican Councilor Tim White said he was “still scratching” his head at raises of 5 percent to 7 percent that were given out earlier this year. He said everyone knew last July that “things were bad.”

Regardless of the source (me), I certainly would have thought twice before including that highly important piece of information in any press coverage. A reporter never knows how a Chief Executive will react when the light is shed on an Administration.

And seriously... 5%? 6%? 7%!? In this economy?!As we enter collective bargaining,* is it reasonable to believe the unions will begin by saying... "oh yeah... though we don't like our boss and he got a 6% raise... we'll take this one for the team and agree to a 1% raise this year. Sure. We hate coming to work, but again... we'll take this one for the team."

I thank the Personnel Committee Chairman for his sagelike foresight that gave us these 6% and 7% raises this year.

And btw, when you see some Town employees getting those raises, anyone else think that just maybe the teachers felt jilted?

We need some leadership in town. We've been without it for too long.

Tim White

* The typical three year contracts all expire on June 30... though it is not uncommon for contracts to be inked after June 30 with backpay being delivered after the contract is adopted.

A history of Bernanke's words

I found this video on the Campaign for Liberty. It's a brief history of Ben Bernanke's words on the housing market from 2005 to 2007:



Pairing Helicopter Ben with Taxman Tim and we have a real brain trust running Obama's economic team. Thankfully we elected President Judgment! Witness the great clarity with which he explained last fall's economic debacle during the Presidential debate on the economy:

"This is a final verdict,... on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush"

I'm so glad Obama got elected! Now we have a new economic team!

Oh... wait... no... we don't. Hmmm... oh well. I'm sure the guys who brought us this debacle are the best ones to fix it. Go Chris Dodd!

Tim White

Tiananmen Square - 1989 revisited - part 25

The 25th part in a PBS piece published in 2001 by Andrew J. Nathan and Perry Link:

June 5

By the morning of June 5, the army is in complete control of Beijing. But when all protest in the city seems silenced, the world witnessed one final act of defiance.

About midday, as a column of tanks slowly moves along Chang'an Boulevard toward Tiananmen Square, an unarmed young man carrying shopping bags suddenly steps out in front of the tanks. Instead of running over him, the first tank tries to go around, but the young man steps in front of it again. They repeat this maneuver several more times before the tank stops and turns off its motor. The young man climbs on top of the tank and speaks to the driver before jumping back down again. Soon, the young man is whisked to the side of the road by an unidentified group of people and disappears into the crowd.

To this day, who he was and what became of him remains a mystery.



Tim White

Mixville FINALLY on the agenda

In case you hadn't noticed, despite numerous promises (from a number of people) to improve Mixville... other than addressing the geese, the park has continued to be largely ignored by Cheshire's Political Class. Thankfully though, the Council changed a wee bit a few months ago. So if you read this email from Town Hall, you'll be able to see that things may change:

Sheldon Dill would like to have an Ordinance Review Committee meeting for consideration and recommendation on the Mixville fees 2-tiered proposal. In addition, since the full Council doesn’t meet until July 14th, and it would therefore be five weeks before any fees (if approved) could go into effect, Chairman Hall has agreed to hold a joint Special Council Meeting with this ORC meeting to enable Council to act on these fees as soon as possible. Could you please let us know your availability on Thursday, June 18th at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, June 22nd at 7:30 p.m.? We will confirm the meeting date as soon as we hear back from everyone. Thank you!

As you can see, any improvements that happen at Mixville should be credited to Sheldon Dill. IMO, any other explanations are simply damage control for the continued neglect (see here and here) of the park by Cheshire's Political Class... of which Sheldon is not a member.

Tim White

Chasing the energy stimulus funds

Continuing to followup on an issue I began raising a few months ago, the Town is investigating the possibility of getting energy-related stimulus funds.

Tim White

MRJ on Dodd's prospective opponents

The MRJ has this rundown on the Ds and Rs lining up to challenge Dodd. Sammy gets a mention, but nothing for my guy on monetary policy - Peter Schiff.

Tim White

Tiananmen Square - 1989 revisited - part 24

The 24th part in a PBS piece published in 2001 by Andrew J. Nathan and Perry Link:

June 4 (4 of 4)

No one knows for certain how many people died over the two days. The Chinese Red Cross initially reported 2,600, then quickly retracted that figure under intense pressure from the government. The official Chinese government figure is 241 dead, including soldiers, and 7,000 wounded.

Our bankers.

Gotta love those bipartisan policies emanating from Washington that have made America beholden to these guys.

Tim White

BL Companies lays off 25, Council leadership prefers to pay for "bells'n'whistles"

From the MRJs Mary Ellen Godin:

MERIDEN - Architectural firm BL Cos. is at the fore of planning and permitting activity and as such, among the first to feel the downturn.

Last week, the employee-owned company was forced to lay off 25 workers in its seven offices in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Thirteen of the affected workers were in the Research Parkway headquarters.

FWIW, BL Companies was the second choice for the building assessment project. BL would charge about $120,000 to do the same job as the likely winner. But the winner of the RFP wants $150,000. One of the people knowledgable on the selection process told me the main difference was that while BL was quite competent, they didn't offer the "bells'n'whistles."

So there you have it. This Council leadership takes direction from staff and, as a result, the taxpayers get shafted for $30,000... while the local economy loses jobs.

I wonder how far $30,000 would go in showing some respect to Mixville? Oh wait...



Tim White

Ideas, not personalities, are what matters

As I've been mentioning with more frequency lately, the Federal Reserve needs to be given a real audit. Just this week, Ron Paul's bill - HR 1207, Audit the Fed! - surpassed the critical 218 cosponsor mark in the House. And it was done in a bipartisan support - 150 or so Rs and 50 or so Ds, as well as 36 of the 71 members of Barney Frank's House Financial Services Committee. (Frank is not a cosponsor.)

Perhaps the most senior member on the Democratic side is the far left Presidential candidate, Dennis Kucinich. I've mentioned Dennis' opposition to the Federal Reserve in the past. So in a sense, Republican Ron Paul and Democrat Dennis Kucinich are leading the charge to demand accountability from the Beast the Fed.

And even the HuffPo has taken notice (by Ryan Grim):

The twin leaders of the movement personify the right-left coalition pressing for Fed reform. Kucinich ran for president representing the Democratic left flank, while Paul ran representing the libertarian wing of his party. The GOP embrace of Paul's Fed skepticism is a signal of its movement in his direction.

Anyway... my point with this post is simply... neither Ron Paul nor I would have ever cried over his GOP primary loss. That's because personalities don't matter. Ideas do. And the r3VOLution begun by Ron Paul in 2007 is just beginning to build steam.

Viva la revolucion! Let's take back our country!

Tim White

Tiananmen Square - 1989 revisited - part 23

The 23rd part in a PBS piece published in 2001 by Andrew J. Nathan and Perry Link:

June 4 (3 of 4)

"[A]fter a little while, like 40 minutes, people would gather up their nerve again and would crawl back to the corner and start screaming at the soldiers, and then the commander would eventually give another signal … and they'd shoot more in the backs," remembers journalist Jan Wong, who watched it all from her hotel room above the boulevard. "And this went on more than half a dozen times in the day." When rescue workers try to approach the street to remove the wounded, they, too, are shot.

Tim White

Mixville resident shares his thoughts on Mixville

An unedited guest post written to a group of Mixville supporters by Cheshire resident and Mixville neighbor, Terry Terzakis:

Hi,

I am writing to all of you who were on Laura's e mail list from the Mixville Park meetings. I want everyone to know that tonight someone from "out of town" decided to drive their Hummer SUV into the back pond at Mixville Park. This resulted in several fire trucks and several police having to answer the call to rescue. I hope all of you are as fed up as my family and as many of us in the neighborhood are. I am urging you all to take tonight's event as fuel for our fire and contact each and every member of a town authority as needed. The Town Manager, Head of Park and Rec, Police Chief, Council members... This would not have happened if the gates were closed and locked like we have been asking for since last year. The inner gate to the pavilion is not even being closed anymore. This is unacceptable and all of us need to voice this and do so loudly. And regardless of who these idiots were that decided to joy ride through the pond, someone could have been hurt or possibly killed. Is that what it's going to take for our town to wake up and do something about our park? Please pass the word to your families and neighbors whom you know are also passionate about saving our park. Now is the time to speak up. Make the calls, write the letters. Make a trip to town hall. If any of you have spent any weekend time at Mixville this summer know how bad it has become. If all of this were going on at Bartlem Park around the precious new playground there or around the pool, that park would be gated up faster than you can blink. Why is the town ignoring Mixville? Please make your voice heard.

Thanks,

Terry T. Terzakis

Tiananmen Square - 1989 revisited - part 22

The 22nd part in a PBS piece published in 2001 by Andrew J. Nathan and Perry Link:

June 4 (2 of 4)

Later that morning, some people -- believed to be the parents of the student protestors -- try to re-enter Tiananmen Square via Chang'an Boulevard. The soldiers order them to leave, and when they don't, open fire, taking down dozens of people at a time. According to eyewitness accounts, the citizens seem not to believe the army is firing on them with real ammunition.

Tim White

HR 1207 hits 222; S 604 hits 2 !!!

Ron Paul's quest to kill the Fed is gaining steam!

HR 1207 - Audit the Fed has garnered 222 cosponsors... more than the 218 required to pass a bill in the House.

I love it!

Furthermore, Senator Bernie Sanders' sister bill - S 604 The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act - has gotten its first cosponsor!

Probably my favorite US Senator, Jim Demint, has signed onto Bernie's bill.

We're gaining momentum.

I intend to do my part to keep the pressure on Washington's two most famous crooks and liars - Geithner & Bernanke. And of course I need to keep the heat on Senator Ground Zero - a.k.a. Chris Dodd.

If we're ever going to reclaim America from the rich and powerful, we need to stop the Fed from their unprecedented actions.

Money doesn't grow on trees.

Tim White

Call 911 - There's a Hummer in Mixville pond!

I received an email tonight about Mixville. According to the email, someone drove a Hummer right through the upper pond tonight.

People are not happy... nor should they be. The pool's ugly stepsister continues to be ignored by the town. And what does the Budget Chair, Mike Ecke, propose?

We should ignore the problems, while pretending that we'll discuss them in the future.

The level of disrespect is unbelievable.

Tim White

p.s. I asked the resident if it would be alright to post his email. If he agrees, I'll put it up.

Peter Schiff nearing a Senate bid

Peter Schiff appears poised to announce a bid for the US Senate.

From Reuters' Joseph A. Giannone:

(Schiff) was not available for comment on Wednesday, but his brother Andrew told Reuters Schiff was traveling to Washington to meet with Senator John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The visit is the latest in a series of steps that show Schiff is seriously considering a jump from the fringes of Wall Street to Capitol Hill.

I think my favorite line though...

"He thinks he's in the House of Lords," Schiff said of Dodd, who is nearing the end of his fifth six-year term in the Senate.

Haha... that cracked me up. I'd be quite happy if the voters give both Dodd and Lieberman the boot asap.

Tim White

Credit rating agency upgrades town

One of the credit rating agencies visited Cheshire and just gave us an upgrade. And now the emails are starting... talking about how wonderful the upgrade is.

From a certain perspective I understand why some people think this is a good thing. But by the same token, I also feel there is a certain degree of intellectual dishonesty here.

As I've explained before, the ratings agencies were at the heart of the current economic meltdown. And other people agree:

“Ratings agencies just abjectly failed in serving the interests of investors,” SEC Commissioner Kathleen Casey says.

To speak of the benefits of a rating upgrade, while ignoring the fact that the ratings agencies said the MBS' and CDS' were good... and Lehman was an A company on September 15, 2008... is to say people love the pool.

Sure, some people do love the pool. But it's also got some pretty big problems associated with it.

Tim White

Tiananmen Square - 1989 revisited - part 21

The 21st part in a PBS piece published in 2001 by Andrew J. Nathan and Perry Link:

June 4 (1 of 4)

At about 1:00 a.m., the People's Liberation Army finally reaches Tiananmen Square and waits for orders from the government. The soldiers have been told not to open fire, but they have also been told that they must clear the square by 6:00 a.m. -- with no exceptions or delays. They make a final offer of amnesty if the few thousand remaining students will leave. About 4:00 a.m., student leaders put the matter to a vote: Leave the square, or stay and face the consequences. "It was clear to me that they stay votes were much, much, much stronger," recalls eyewitness John Pomfret, who was near the students. "But Feng Congde, who was a student leader at the time, said, 'The go's have it.'" The students vacate the square under the gaze of thousands of soldiers.

Tim White

Freedom of Information Commission does not require emails to be stored by Town Hall

With regard to Chairman Hall's request that all constituent contacts be filed with Town Hall, I spoke with the Freedom of Information Commission.

I explained the call to forward all constituent contacts to Town Hall and said I opposed this on principle. It's an invasion of privacy, IMHO.

Furthermore, I believe this would be an administrative nightmare when you consider that we have 20+ boards and commissions. And the memo's self-serving comment that "we receive few documents that do not come through Town staff" is beyond my comprehension. How could the writer* of this memo have any idea how often I am contacted by constituents? That makes absolutely no sense... unless we have the Oracle of Delphi on staff in Town Hall.

Regardless, the FOIC informed me that they have issued no directive for public officials to store all records with Town Hall. The FOIC simply wants records to be maintained. And it's perfectly acceptable for me to retain them.

Tim White

* Hall signed it, but he said he did not write it.

CNBC highlights a death threat to the Federal Reserve

Check out the front page, above-the-fold headline of the CNBC homepage today:Sweet!

People are saying that Ron Paul's HR 1207 could lead to the death of the unconstitutional Federal Reserve. I love it!

Read the CNBC story here

Tim White

Chamber golf tournament on July 27 at The Farms

The Cheshire Chamber of Commerce announced:

Our 25th Annual Golf Tounament will be on Monday, July 27th at The Farms Country Club. It promises to be a landmark event. Please click here to be connected to the Tournament registration and sponsorship.

Tim White

Barone on a new GOP strategy... go Ron Paul!

I noticed a Michael Barone piece cross-posted by Ironman. It's a fascinating read to me. While he ignores the middle east wars, he offers his suggestion for a winning GOP strategy. He says Republicans should run against the power center of Washington:

This center includes the Treasury, with its $700 billion of TARP funds voted last fall to purchase toxic assets from financial institutions and used instead to quasi-nationalize banks and preserve union benefits for employees and retirees of bankrupt auto companies. It includes the Federal Reserve, which has been vastly increasing the money supply. It includes a federal government whose $787 billion economic stimulus has so far failed to lower the unemployment rate from where the government projected it would be without the stimulus package.

What I love is that he's offering Ron Paul's agenda.

My guy didn't come anywhere near winning in 2008. But it's the victory of ideas that matters.

Tim White

Schools: new science classroom and special ed director

The schools have hired a special ed director. And the schools will also be opening their second science classroom courtesy of the Cheshire Education Foundation.



Tim White

Tiananmen Square - 1989 revisited - part 20

The 20th part in a PBS piece published in 2001 by Andrew J. Nathan and Perry Link:

June 3

As word spreads that hundreds of thousands of troops are approaching from all four corners of the city, Beijingers flood the streets to block them, as they had done two weeks earlier. People set up barricades at every major interstion. At about 10:30 p.m., near the Muxidi apartment buildings -- home to high-level Party officials and their families -- the citizens become aggressive as the army tries to break through their barricades. They yell at the soldiers and some throw rocks; someone sets a bus on fire. The soldiers start firing on the unarmed civilians with AK-47s loaded with battlefield ammunition.

"The first rounds of fire catch everybody by surprise," recalls human rights observer Timothy Brook. "The people in the streets don't expect this to happen." The wounded are taken to nearby hospitals on bicycles and pull-carts, but the hospital staff are unequipped to deal with the severe wounds. Muxidi sees the highest casualties of the night; an untold number of people are killed.

Tim White