Comments for The View From Here http://www.superbrian.net Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:03:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on Let There Be Tile by Caroline Casey http://www.superbrian.net/2008/09/let-there-be-tile/#comment-3492 Caroline Casey Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:09:34 +0000 http://www.superbrian.net/?p=720#comment-3492 crayons...hehehe crayons…hehehe

]]> Comment on The Bailout Fails…..Once by ChestertonianRambler http://www.superbrian.net/2008/10/the-bailout-failsonce/#comment-3477 ChestertonianRambler Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:37:38 +0000 http://www.superbrian.net/?p=736#comment-3477 Technically, "bribes" is an inaccurate term. "Bribes" are monies that personally (not politically) help a public servant in exchange for publicl-given benefit. If a senator were to get a new swimming pool in exchange for supporting a bill, that would be a bribe. "Pork-Barrel spending" refers to monies that are spent merely to placate the congressman's constituents, doing things such as building a worthless dam just to keep people in one area employed. The net effect is probably pretty negative, but everyone wants to be sure that the money gets spent in THEIR area and not someone else's, so very, very few senators or representatives get re-elected unless they manage to "bring home the bacon." The worst part is that those pragmatists who accept such riders as a necessity but call for reform eliminating pork-barrel spending tend to get accused of hypocrisy and also voted out of office. So basically at the moment it's a self-perpetuated unwanted side-effect of living in a republic. Technically, “bribes” is an inaccurate term.

“Bribes” are monies that personally (not politically) help a public servant in exchange for publicl-given benefit. If a senator were to get a new swimming pool in exchange for supporting a bill, that would be a bribe.

“Pork-Barrel spending” refers to monies that are spent merely to placate the congressman’s constituents, doing things such as building a worthless dam just to keep people in one area employed. The net effect is probably pretty negative, but everyone wants to be sure that the money gets spent in THEIR area and not someone else’s, so very, very few senators or representatives get re-elected unless they manage to “bring home the bacon.”

The worst part is that those pragmatists who accept such riders as a necessity but call for reform eliminating pork-barrel spending tend to get accused of hypocrisy and also voted out of office. So basically at the moment it’s a self-perpetuated unwanted side-effect of living in a republic.

]]> Comment on Heroes Season 3 Begins…. by MDB http://www.superbrian.net/2008/09/heroes-season-3-begins/#comment-3471 MDB Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:21:34 +0000 http://www.superbrian.net/?p=705#comment-3471 Dude, I couldn't agree with you more! Dude,

I couldn’t agree with you more!

]]> Comment on It Feels Like Fall in Puerto Rico by Donna http://www.superbrian.net/2008/09/it-feels-like-fall-in-puerto-rico/#comment-3441 Donna Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:11:23 +0000 http://www.superbrian.net/?p=679#comment-3441 Brian: I am so glad you enjoyed Puerto Rico. Hopefully Chris did not cheat and Sarah did not trounce everyone shamelessly. That is usually what happens when we play with them. Seriously, though, there is something magical about playing a good boardgame with friends. You get to interact beyond the mundane exchanges about the weather and day to day life. You each try to achieve at your highest potential, the wheels in your brain get greased and start moving at a higher level, the adrenaline gets pumping.... And then the myth of the game is a lot of fun - spending time in Puerto Rican colonies or building railroads across the US (Ticket to Ride) or delivering mail in Europe (Thurn and Taxis).... I hope you have many more pleasant journeys ahead. Brian:
I am so glad you enjoyed Puerto Rico. Hopefully Chris did not cheat and Sarah did not trounce everyone shamelessly. That is usually what happens when we play with them.
Seriously, though, there is something magical about playing a good boardgame with friends. You get to interact beyond the mundane exchanges about the weather and day to day life. You each try to achieve at your highest potential, the wheels in your brain get greased and start moving at a higher level, the adrenaline gets pumping…. And then the myth of the game is a lot of fun - spending time in Puerto Rican colonies or building railroads across the US (Ticket to Ride) or delivering mail in Europe (Thurn and Taxis)…. I hope you have many more pleasant journeys ahead.

]]> Comment on Renovations Update by Mom http://www.superbrian.net/2008/09/renovations-update/#comment-3423 Mom Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:58:36 +0000 http://www.superbrian.net/?p=647#comment-3423 Yes, Son, and that is the way it always is! But.....isn't it fun?!?!? :) Yes, Son, and that is the way it always is! But…..isn’t it fun?!?!? :)

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