Minnesota Haiku

There was a lady who triplets begat
Nat, Pat and Tat
It was fun breeding
But trouble feeding
Cause she didn't have a tit for Tat.


A bearded old biker named Charlie
Took a very long ride on his Harley.
He knew that his hog
Created no smog,
Cause he ran it on hops and malt barley.

There once was a man named Mike.
Who sported an enormous spike.
His girl said with a grin,
"It's hard to get in,
But that's the size that I like"

Oh God! The Swimsuit Edition Again!

It's time for that annual celebration of near-nudity in winter: the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Amid a lot of hoopla this annual post-Super Bowl celebration is unveiled. And now with a sixty year old posing in swimsuits with her brown daughters. What next? Three generations of bikini wearers in the same pose?

I've complained about the sexism that is manifest in this lapse from sports. Since when has swimsuit wearing become a sport? This is nothing more than an occasion for prehistorical guys to ogle? And do other things.

And the tops and bottoms of these bikinis are often minimalist. Why should a bunch of loose girls in California and the South dictate what is fashionable and acceptable?

Do We Have Failed States?

The concept of "failed state" is generally applied to nations that do not provide effective governance and security to meet the everyday order, safety, and means of dealing with problems as them come up. Think of Somalia as an example in point. And Venezuela seems to be moving in that direction.

But what about the individual American states? Are there any states or territories whose economy, safety, civic or state services seem to be in peril? In plain terms, are there states that plain are not working or working very well? And what about corruption?

It's pretty plain that the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico is an economic basket case. It has high unemployment, insufficient services, heavy dependence on outside money, crime, and other problems. The Zika virus is expected to create a lot of havoc, with illnesses and birth defects. At the very least, widespread effective mosquito control should be made, and birth control and termination should be put into place effectively.

Some American states have institutional corruption; but otherwise do effectively perform despite that moral handicap. Illinois and New Jersey fall there.

California has serious drought and fire problems; but the strong government and commitment to solving problems seems to be coping with that. And, of course, we have the winters. But we've adapted to that predictable season.

But the term "failed state" is most applicable to Louisiana. The natives see themselves as living in a land of Cockagnie, while it is falling apart. It is by its topography and location highly susceptible to natural disasters that make it repeatedly exposed to hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, and other catastrophes. Politics there makes it a near-kleptocracy. Crime is high, especially in New Orleans and Baton Rouge; and race relations are not good at all. It's history is rife with criminal mistreatment of African-Americans. In all, it's a sad mess. The recent flooding north of New Orleans really calls into question the continued suitability of a population in many parts, especially with global warming and climate change. (Which many foolishly ignore.)

It think it would be an immense project; but the Federal Government should consider a widespread but voluntary relocation of the unfortunates that happen to live there. Maybe with relocation to other states, they might come to appreciate the advantages of better government and develop healthier outlooks.

One of Those Days!

Some days are just uff da days! Still cold. 33F

What Democrats Want

Legalize Weed in Minnesota!

The Colorado Experiment in legalizing marijuana is almost two years old. What has been the fallout from it?  Did anarchy loom over the state?

No, all the dire predictions did not happen. Denver did not go to the dogs. Still the same old Rockies and Broncos. Colorado still brews Coors beer. The snow will be there for skiing. It will reliably vote Democratic, though not as predictable as Minnesota.

Here's an article about Colorado two years later:

http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/02/this-is-what-happened-after-colorado-legalised-weed-5476539/

So my point now is, maybe the Minnesota legislature should consider legalizing marijuana too.

For one, it would cut down the inmate population at Stillwater.

Maybe pass a law prohibiting driving a car or snowmobile while under the influence of weed.

It's high time!

Income Tax Day

Tomorrow is the last day for filing income taxes without penalty.  I think that good citizens should be proud to support their government that gives them so much.  And they should regard it as like tithing for churches.  We have too much individualism being held up as an ideal. Why not a little more collectivism?  No man is an island, although some hidebound conservatives would like to pretend that they are.