Monthly Archives: January 2010

Twas Bileg

By Frank Paynter | Published: January 28, 2010

‘Twas brillig and the slithy tothes, Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. –Lewis Carroll Goo goo g’ joob… –John Lennon (Has anyone else noticed that “Slithey tothe” is sort of a slant rhyme with “slimy toad?” Of course, toads aren’t slimy but verisimilitude be [...]

Posted in Bloggers 'n blogs, Blogging and Flogging | Tagged , | Comments closed

The statin stupids

By Frank Paynter | Published: January 26, 2010

I had a little heart problem a year or so ago and the doc prescribed simvastatin. During the time that I’ve taken the drug, those around me have noticed a dumbing down and a slowness of response. I’ve noticed this too, and I’ve also noticed a decreased ability to find the right word in conversation [...]

Posted in Medical Advice, The Proprietor | Tagged , | Comments closed

I think I nailed it

By Frank Paynter | Published: January 19, 2010

Wrote this email in response to a thoughtful, optimistic essay regarding the epigenetic nature of the American character. Sharing it here out of context, but I used so many big words I thought “What the hey! People need to read this!” I had to put tongue in cheek to reply regarding “national character.” I agree [...]

Posted in Racism, Science | Comments closed

Obama, Bush, Clinton, Aristide, Haiti

By Frank Paynter | Published: January 17, 2010

Chantal Laurent, The Haitian Blogger, published an informed article yesterday on her blog and in Salon, an article that underscores the irony of Obama’s appointment of Clinton and Bush to lead “an international campaign to help Haiti recover from the earthquake there.” America’s interventionism in Haiti’s affairs, deserves a closer look. The noble “international community” [...]

Posted in Democracy, Global Concern, Government, Politics, Racism | Tagged , , , , | Comments closed

Down on the farm, administrivia department

By Frank Paynter | Published: January 16, 2010

I’ve been following the unfolding story of the Trautman farm and their struggle with Wisconsin’s Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Affairs. A recent post inspired an email from Betty, one of my favorite readers. She gave me permission to edit it a little and post it here. Any errors or misstatements in what follows [...]

Posted in Environment, Farm Almanac, Global Concern | Tagged , , , , | Comments closed

The way to Carnegie Hall

By Frank Paynter | Published: January 7, 2010

Tamar Jacobson blogs at Mining Nuggets. Today marks the beginning of her sixth year practicing the blogger’s art. Congratulations for staying the course Tamar! I understand your feelings when you say, This morning, as I look back at the very beginning of blogging, I feel as if it has been more than just five years. [...]

Posted in Bloggers 'n blogs, Blogging and Flogging, Writing | Tagged | Comments closed

Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund – FTCLDF

By Frank Paynter | Published: January 6, 2010

Before New Years Day I wrote here about the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Kafkaesque way they have treated Scott and Julie Trautman. Scott and Julie are certified organic farmers selling grass fed beef. They also have a small dairy herd. Until recently they were able to market their [...]

Posted in Class Warfare, Farm Almanac, Government | Tagged , , , | Comments closed

CIA agents killed in the line of duty

By Frank Paynter | Published: January 1, 2010

So ‘ere’s to you fuzzy-wuzzy, at your ‘ome in the Soudan; You’re a pore benighted ‘eathen, but a first class fightin’ man. – Rudyard Kipling Since a time before the centuries of failure of the British imperialists to subdue “the wily Pathan”, since the time of Hasan bin Sabah and before, a time stretching back [...]

Posted in Global Concern, Patriotism, Peace and Politics, Truth and Falsehood | Comments closed