Don't We Look Different Today!

Jack’s Potpourri looks a little different today, doesn’t it?  I think the bookshelf background looks kind of neat.  Anyway, an explanation of sorts is in order.  

I came across another blog the other day which, like Jack’s Potpourri, was developed using Google’s Blogspot technology.  It appeared that this other blog, which centered on voicing a liberal Democratic political outlook, has been in existence about five months, but most significantly, it uses the same Blogspot template as Jack’s Potpourri has been using since 2009, and is maintained by a resident of the same community in which I reside.  Blogspot offers 33 different “appearance” options for blogs using its technology, but the author of that particular blog chose to look exactly like Jack’s Potpourri. It may be just a coincidence, but I take it as a compliment.  Oddly enough, that blog’s author used to be on Jack’s Potpourri’s “Blog Alert Update Email” list, but is one of the few recipients who has requested to be removed from that list.  So, I decided to change the appearance of Jack’s Potpourri.  The old look was getting a little stale. Hope you like it.

By the way, the alligator pictured above is the blog's new mascot. This picture of him taken in the canal behind my house is from a few years ago, but he's still around.  Critics of this blog should be aware that our mascot stands ready to rise (or crawl) to the defense of whatever is published in it.  I have figured out how to change the picture up top on the blog and will be doing so periodically, but fear not, the alligator will still be on guard against critics.

One last reminder.  When you have a chance, take a look at our sister site, www.politicaldrek.com.
JL
                                          
                                   

Report From The Crusader:

A few months ago, I described my role as a “crusader.”  At this time, I’d like to report on the progress of the four “crusades” in which I have found myself involved during the past year.

                              

Three of them concerned the homeowners’ community in which I reside, and if you don’t care about that, go ahead and jump two paragraphs down.  But those of you who don’t live in such a community or in a condominium are missing out on one of the great experiences of modern day living.  It isn’t enough that we have federal, state, county, municipal and perhaps other levels of real government to deal with.  Homeowners’ communities insert another layer, one closer to the individual than any of the aforementioned ones.  They tax (or assess), in order to maintain the community, and promulgate rules, and rules, and more rules.

These three areas that my crusades have involved concerned more frequent cleaning of the sidewalks, unfair event ticketing procedures relating to single, widowed and divorced residents and finally, the purchase of new furniture for the community’s pool area.  All of my crusades involved the extensive use of Email and web site message boards.  I succeeded in moving up the sidewalk cleaning schedule and was instrumental in enabling single residents to bring a guest without a charge to free events where that was supposedly not possible, although married residents paying the same monthly “maintenance” charges faced no such impediment.  Unfortunately, I didn’t succeed in regard to the pool furniture because the dollar amount involved was significant and a recalcitrant vendor was involved.  That crusade was over my head.

                                         

I am continuing my crusade against Classical South Florida, however, which purchased local public radio station WXEL last year, converted it to a 100% classical music station and in effect got rid of National Public Radio non-musical programming, and locally oriented programs for most Palm Beach County residents.  Their new designation, WPBI, is now up for license renewal and I have a solid complaint pending with the Federal Communications Commission.  It may take years to come to fruition, but I suspect this crusade will succeed.  At a minimum, WPBI should be fined based on my complaint, and maybe even be moved to bring All Things Considered and Morning Edition back to Palm Beach County on a listenable-at-home local frequency.  And that’s the latest news from the Crusader!
Jack Lippman

                                    

Political Drek:

The other day I was paying the check by credit card at the cash register of a local restaurant.  I asked the clerk, a young man in his early twenties, what the tax was so that I could figure how much to add for a tip.  (I usually triple the tax, resulting in an 18% tip.)  Smiling at me, he said, “Sure, the amount going to President Obama is $1.68.”  I immediately corrected him, pointing out that the sales tax is a state, and not a federal tax, and if he wanted to label it as going to a politician, Florida Governor Rick Scott was someone more appropriate to name. 

“Gee,” he said. “Everyone seems to dislike Governor Scott, but isn’t it funny that, despite this, he was elected Governor!” "Won't happen again," I retorted.  I then asked the young man whom he liked for the Presidency and he indicated that while his mind was still open, he liked Ron Paul a lot.  Not being able to recognize that sales taxes are state, and not federal, taxes is typical of the level of intelligence of many of Paul’s young supporters.

                           

President Obama, to whom your local sales taxes don't go, Rick Scott, where your local sales taxes do go ... or at least to the State he governs, and Ron Paul, the choice of those who don't know the difference about this and almost anything else.

Note that this position, attacking Ron Paul's supporters, is not in sync with Democratic Party strategy, which would prefer anyone but Romney as their opponent in the Presidential election.  Hence, their barbs are directed at Mitt, and at no one else.  But I personally feel that any G.O.P. candidate other than Romney would be a very risky bet for the country to make.  I still support Barack Obama, but should he lose, Mitt Romney is a far better choice than any of the others.  I call 'em like I see 'em. 

And while on this subject, let me quote from a very recent column by Charles Krauthammer, a conservative columnist, concerning those in the G.O.P. race in New Hampshire.

   "Mr. Gingrich speaks of aligning himself with Mr. Santorum against Mr. Romney.  For Newt's campaign, this makes absolutely no strategic sense.  Except that Mr. Gingrich is after vengeance, not victory.  Ahab is loose in New Hampshire, stalking his great white Mitt.

      What a lineup.  Messrs. Santorum and Gingrich go after Mr. Romney, whose unspoken ally is Rep. Paul, who needs to fight off Mr. Santorum in order to emerge as both No. 1 challenger and Republican kingmaker, leader of a movement demanding respect, attention and concessions.  And John Huntsman goes after everybody."

Wow!   Ya can't tell the players without a scorecard! (If you're interested, Krauthammer actually seems to prefer Santorum to the rest ... but that is this week.)

JL

    
                                                       

                                                                  

                    

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