Tales From the Woods

The weather has warmed, and we've been spending a lot of time at Wyndanwood. We continue to clear trails and keep the plant growth under control on the dike. I started cutting the wild grape vines out of the woods, a project that will never be finished. Dorothy has started some plants - water irises and Cana lillies - at water's edge around the dike.

I had some friends out last week and I spent quite a bit of time getting the place ready for their visit. I set up a tent, stuck some Tiki torches into the ground, filled two coolers with beer, water and soft drinks, and raised the official Wyndanwood flag. You can't see all of that in this picture, but you get the drift. The first guests arrived a little before noon, and the last arrived around 5 o'clock. In the meantime, we played with our paintball guns and did some fishing. We caught probably 50 fish among us, mostly large mouth bass, but there were also a few crappies and blue gills. (For those not familiar with crappies, it rhymes with poppies.) That was the first time I stayed overnight out there, and I left the tent up, assuming I'd be doing it again several times over the summer and fall.

We took a walk down the trail to the dike, where I showed off the new landscaping around the spillway. Nice, eh?







Dorothy had told me the story of a sign her mother had kept at the farm, and its modern replacement can be seen here. "Hither" points to the spot where a house will someday be built; "thither" points to the road; and "yon" points to the dike and the pond and the woods beyond. Appropriate, I think.

Then there was Saturday. I've been looking for the right boat to put on the pond, and we finally found one. We bought the boat and trailer from a nice couple from Seven Hills, Ohio, and got it back to the farm after a 7-hour round trip (including the time needed to negotiate the deal and take care of the paperwork). Although it is not yet in the water (waiting for the dock), I think it's going to be perfect for the pond. This picture doesn't show much of the boat, but I'll take a picture after we drop her in the water.

The Demise of the Boycott?

I'm sure the new Arizona law on illegal immigration has had some coverage outside the US. Some have condemned it as racist, an open door to racial profiling. Others view it as necessary. The folks in Arizona are tired of paying the social and economic costs of people invading their state, and I applaud the Governor and the legislature for taking a stand and enforcing the rule of law. Drug cartels are taking advantage of the porous border to ply their illegal trade, and murder rates in the border cities are among the highest in the world. The federal government is too concerned with political expediency to do anything constructive about this serious, and growing, problem. Did someone say 14 million new voters?

In the event you disagree with the law, let me ask you a few questions. Is your homeland being besieged? Are your national values being threatened? Would you allow these people into your home?




These pictures were taken in London, England. They could have been taken in any western city in which people were raised in a free society. Guess what? It won't be free for long if action isn't taken now.

Did these people enter England legally? if so, England needs to rethink its immigration policy, and I hasten to add, so does the USA. If they entered illegally, it is time to enforce immigration laws. The Arizona law is not aimed specifically at any particular group except those who have illegally entered the state of Arizona. If I entered your home illegally, you would have recourse. This is no different. And lest you think that there aren't similarities between those invaders and some coming from south of our border, take a look. The images and back stories are varied, but there are elements of each that want nothing less than to undo the magnificent accomplishments of free western societies.

Several political subdivisions have passed resolutions condemning the Arizona law, and a boycott is afoot. The rest of this post is self-explanatory, and I think it amply illustrates the economic interdependence that exists in a market society. Your boycott can get you in trouble...

The Los Angeles City Council voted to boycott the state of Arizona over its new immigration-enforcement law, and now the Arizona Corporation Commission has responded. Gary Pierce, one of the commissioners chosen in state-wide elections to the utility regulation panel, notes that Los Angeles gets about 25% of its power from Arizona producers. If the City of Angels really wants a boycott, Pierce offers his services to help, as he explains in a letter to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and copied to Hot Air:

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa,

I was dismayed to learn that the Los Angeles City Council voted to boycott Arizona and Arizona-based companies — a vote you strongly supported — to show opposition to SB 1070 (Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act).

You explained your support of the boycott as follows: “While we recognize that as neighbors, we share resources and ties with the State of Arizona that may be difficult to sever, our goal is not to hurt the local economy of Los Angeles, but to impact the economy of Arizona. Our intent is to use our dollars — or the withholding of our dollars — to send a message.” (emphasis added)

I received your message; please receive mine. As a state-wide elected member of the Arizona Corporation Commission overseeing Arizona’s electric and water utilities, I too am keenly aware of the “resources and ties” we share with the City of Los Angeles. In fact, approximately twenty-five percent of the electricity consumed in Los Angeles is generated by power plants in Arizona.

If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation. I am confident that Arizona’s utilities would be happy to take those electrons off your hands. If, however, you find that the City Council lacks the strength of its convictions to turn off the lights in Los Angeles and boycott Arizona power, please reconsider the wisdom of attempting to harm Arizona’s economy.

People of goodwill can disagree over the merits of SB 1070. A state-wide economic boycott of Arizona is not a message sent in goodwill.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Gary Pierce


And here's the link, in case you'd like to look at some of the comments.

Hat tip to Paul for the story.

Go Bucks!

The Ohio Statehouse

Cleaning up some files again...ran across this picture from the Statehouse Museum grand opening, of which Columbia Gas of Ohio was a sponsor.



The major donors were presented with a glass...thing, as thanks for our efforts. It reminded me of The Fickle Finger of Fate award that was a running gag on the old Rowen & Martin's Laugh-In show from the 1960's.

But seriously, the museum is a real treasure. I think most of us who work in the Ohio Statehouse appreciate its history. The first time I entered the building was in the spring of 1982 when I interviewed for an internship, and I was in awe of the place. I still feel some of that awe every time I enter the building.



The cornerstone was laid in 1839, but it took until 1861 for the building to be completed. It is an excellent example of the Greek Revival style of architecture. Before it was finished, Abraham Lincoln made a speech from the east steps in September of 1859 while campaigning for President. He returned in February 1861, about a month before being sworn in as President, to address a joint session of the legislature. The large chair that sits on the Speaker's platform in the House chamber is known to this day as the Lincoln Chair. Lincoln's last stop at the Statehouse was when his body laid in state in the Rotunda on April 29, 1865.

The Rotunda, with a bust of Lincoln prominently displayed.

When I first worked at the Statehouse, it had been divided into many small offices, and the place had fallen into disrepair and was generally a mess. Thanks to the foresight and dedication of some of its denizens, a major reconstruction took place during the 1990's, and it has been masterfully restored to its original beauty. That might be the best $140 million ever spent. It is a special place.

If you find yourself passing through Columbus, take the time to tour the Statehouse and the Museum. Both will be well worth your time.