November 20. 2008 by Dick.

Today is the 33rd Great American Smokeout. I know how hard it is. Believe me, it’s worth it.

In a time when you practically need a new mortgage for a cuppa Joe and a pack o’ smokes, it’s good to know that a one-pack-a-day smoker can save a pretty significant part of a mortgage payment out of pocket each month just by quitting.

Visit cancer.org for more info.

Posted in Extras!, Society, Big Thoughts, Random Access | 1 Comment »

August 20. 2008 by Dick.

Joe Lieberman, ID-Connecticut, became a Senator in 1988 and managed to get re-elected in 1994, again in 2000 (remember that date–it’s important), and to a fourth term in 2006. Barely.

In the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Mr. Lieberman ran simultaneous campaigns for his third term in the Senate as well as for Vice President as the running mate of DEMOCRATIC presidential nominee Al Gore.

ID? “Independent Democrat.” He lost the ‘06 Democratic primary election, so he flipped off the party and won re-election in the general election as a so-called Independent Democrat.

So, he’s a sort of a Democrat and perhaps the very best bet hedger in Washington, the capitol of hedging bets. Still, that has to make him perhaps the least trustworthy man in a city where losing trust is a political art form.

Now, eight years after his stunning electoral prestidigitation, he’s on the short list to be the running mate of REPUBLICAN presidential nominee John McCain.

I know the pundits think Mr. Lieberman brings something to the ticket. I know Mr. McCain really likes Mr. Lieberman. But I gotta ask, Is he nuts?

Oh well. At least Mr. Lieberman still has four more years on his Senate seat to go back to when this is all over.

Senators Obama’s and McCain’s terms end in ‘10. Neither has given up his seat to run this race but at least neither is running campaigns for both simultaneously.

Posted in Extras!, Politics, Dick's Dumps | No Comments »

June 26. 2008 by Dick.

Electric utilities in Vermont are worried about the high cost of home heating oil. They fear consumers will be inclined to use electric space heaters to heat their homes this winter.

Hey, I’ve been running the numbers on that. At over $4/gallon for oil, the 11 or 12 cent kilowatt-hour looks pretty good.

The utilities say their grid, particularly in Southern Vermont, cannot handle the added load if we all turn on a space heater.

And they want us to add plug-in electric cars to the mix?

Ye gods.

Posted in Extras!, Quickies, Cars, Business, Dick's Dumps | 1 Comment »