06 November 2009

Announcement; Personal Puffery; Temporarily Deflated Observations

















Public Presentation, George Washington Gavel

The Gavel that George Washington used in the ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone for the U.S. Capitol will be presented to the public on Tuesday, 17 November 2009, at 3:00 PM, in the Division I Courtroom, Marion County Courthouse (Third Floor), Fairmont, West Virginia.

The Courthouse is a “Beaux Arts” structure (photo here somewhere) which dates to 1900, and the Courtroom has been restored to near-original condition. It’s the nicest courtroom in West Virginia and rivals anything you’ve seen on TV, including the Courtroom in To Kill a Mockingbird. Judge Fred Fox is always happy to show it off to the public.

The gavel is in the care of Potomac Lodge #5, AF&AM, of the District of Columbia. The presentation in Fairmont is being conducted by Fairmont Lodge #9. There are only two occasions that any Masonic work is conducted publicly, portions of cornerstone placements and funerals. The Capitol ceremony was a Masonic one, and at the time President Washington was Grand Master of the American lodges.

A tiled lodge for Masons will be held at the Temple on Speedway that evening, dinner at 6, lodge at 7.


Publication Drivel?

The State Journal, the business newspaper for West Virginia, is wrapping up four weekly columns I’ve written on the process of producing a national health care plan. They are not available on the paper’s website, but are similar to my post of 11 September 2009 entitled "My President Can Beat Up Your President: Choosing A Rational Path to Health Care.”

Wednesday's (4 November 2009) Charleston Gazette published an op-ed by me on the PEIA (West Virginia Public Employee Insurance Agency) consideration of a premium surcharge for obese people. http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/OpEdCommentaries/200911040954 I am informed that the reaction in state government & gadfly circles is about even - half "right on," half "hang the bastard." I can live with either one.


I have a new t-shirt: "If you can read this, you're in range."


The War on Drugs

Large drug dealers no longer count currency, as that is too inefficient. Now, they WEIGH money. $1 Million in 100's weighs 37.4 pounds.


Literature

One of the current books I’m (re)reading is Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse. Recently, I reread Siddhartha. I wonder - Would either book sell if written today? Opinions? Rosary? Jim?


Pippa passes.

R

2 comments:

Bert Bananas said...

Now I want a t-shirt that reads, in very tiny print, "If you can read this, you're in range of a hug."

I wouldn't wear it; I'd give it to my wife.

Rosary said...

haven't read Hesse since I was like 16, and I don't remember much liking it then. Never felt the need to go back to him. I might be missing something, but my plate is full enough not to notice.