Mountain View
Eric Niemietz
(Opinion) He's Back; DeSantis Returns to Florida
Ron DeSantis, after quitting the presidential nomination bid, has taken his boldest stand against Trump. He now says he will NOT let taxpayer money pay for Trump's legal bills. He threatened to veto legislation to do just that. Taxpayer money paying for a private citizens criminal indictment legal bills does not seem to be proper use of our money if he does not.
Iceboats on the Hudson River
The Hudson River is home to an old tradition called Ice Yachting, begun by the Dutch on the upper Hudson in winter to transport people and goods over the river ice. Ice boating evolved into a sport with larger craft, equipped with triangular "lateen" rigged sails, they could hit speeds of 75 mph.
NY State Parks Celebrate 100 Years
State Parks and Historic Sites in New York State are having their centennial celebration this year. To celebrate, the state is sponsoring the Centennial Challenge, which includes 100 missions that can only be completed at state parks and historic sites. Those who complete 24 out of the 100 missions will earn a commemorative sticker and be entered into a prize drawing for a three-year Empire Pass, which waives day-use and parking fees at all state parks.
Medical Debt for 500,000 people cancelled by New York City
The city of New York has announced a plan to wipe out the medical bills for half a million people in the city. Mayor Adams said that in concert with RIP Medical Debt, a non profit company that buys medical debt from hospitals and debt collection companies in quantity. The city will spend $18 million dollars to cancel the money owed by low income and hardship patients.
ET; Visit Kentucky
Kentucky has beamed a signal into outer space inviting aliens to come and visit. The message came complete with descriptions of the elements of life, (not to be used for recipes) the rolling countryside replete with bluegrass, where to stay and shop, and suggested trying Kentucky bourbon.
DeSantis is Signaling for His Exit
Ron DeSantis, after a massive loss in Iowa, is indicating he will substantially ignore New Hampshire and concentrate on South Carolina. In a recent interview with conservative radio host, DeSantis suggested he would not stay in the race if there was no chance of winning. He is trailing badly in both states, and South Carolina is Haley's home state, where she was former governor.
5 More NY Prison Closings; Hochul's New State Budget
Governor Hochul released her proposal for the2024-2025 budget, it includes closure of 5 state correctional facilities. The north country of NY includes 11 of the 44 prisons in the state. Ogdensburg and Moriah Shock facilities were among the most recent closures. The Chateaugay Correctional Facility that closed in 2014 has remained vacant and empty ever since.
When the Chips are Down; Potato Economics
The humble potato is an economic powerhouse, it turns out. Potatoes were first domesticated around Peru, in South America, between 8000 and 5000 BC. The National Potato Council estimates the United States’ domestic potato industry created 714,000 jobs, generated $34.1 billion in wages, and added $53.5 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product in one year alone.
Macy's Closing More Stores, Laying Off Workers
Macy's, the iconic department store chain, is laying off about 3.5% of its work force and closing 5 stores in response to online shopping. Macy's stock has dropped 75% since 2015. Macy's began in 1858, and now has about 500 stores, as well has 55 Bloomingdale's locations. Macy's also bought out Filene's many years ago.
Florida Set to Ban Minors Under 16 from Social Media
A bill being considered in the Florida Legislature would ban children from social media sites. Studies indicate kids spend as much as 4 hour per day on these sites. Perhaps some of this time could be devoted to schoolwork. The idea is that a blanket ban, based on the premise that social media is inappropriate for minors (It took all this time to figure that out) and would be easier to enforce if it applies to everyone.
Biden Plan; Bank Overdraft Fees to Drop Drastically
President Biden's White House is proposing a plan to lower bank overdraft fees to as little as $3 dollars under a new regulation. Just which version is adopted will determine the amount of revenue eliminate from bank's bottom lines.
Musk's Power Demand Amidst EV Tech Woes
Elon Musk is demanding more power, he wants 25% of the vote at Tesla, or he will stop AI technology development, he threatened. He repeatedly has touted the company's tech as the best real world AI. At a time when he is pushing for sales in China and Germany, the Chinese have local competition for Tesla, which represents 22% of sales, as well as a contracting economy. Germany is seeing price cuts on the product.
Ramaswamy Quits, Endorses Trump Days After Being Insulted by Him
Trump, after insulting Mr. Ramaswamy saying his campaign was deceiptful and that his opponent did not support him (Duh) and was not MAGA, was incenced by Vivek's "disingenuous campaign tactics" and campaign T shirts saying "Save Trump, vote Vivek!" with a picture of Trump's booking photo.
Spraying the Stratosphere: Biden's Climate Control Plans
Last year was the warmest year on record that we know of. Perhaps the dinosaurs had it hotter. The White House is co-ordinating a five year plan to assess modify the amount of sunlight reaching the surface of the earth. In effect, weather control. Scientists estimate it would cost $10 Billion dollars per year to cool the earth by 1 degree centigrade. (By comparison, Americans spend about $33 Billion each year on POTATO CHIPS.)
Great Sacandaga Lake; Ice Fishing Tournament in Doubt
If you live near the Sacandaga Reservoir, now known as the lake, you usually picture mid-January as a frozen white expanse with blowing, drifting snow. Open water was unthinkable most years. Not so this year. The 15th annual walleye ice fishing challenge may be cancelled. there is little ice on the lake yet. The challenge was also cancelled in 2023 due to mild weather and fluctuating water levels.
Eric Niemietz
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Writer and Author. Travelled extensively in U.S. and abroad. Interests include history, natural history, outdoor activities, painting, and writing. C.P.C.U.
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