GQ Magazine caves in to the Cintons' threat machine

When you read stories like this its easy to become frustrated with the political process and supposed media "watch dogs" who provide cover for their friends at every turn, or like in this case - lose the guts to criticize them in fear of retribution.

GQ magazine should be ashamed of itself for not having the courage to run a story about the infighting in the Clinton camp after learning that running it would kill their access to Bill Clinton. So who is worse? The spinless, liberal media, or the Clintons for their strong arm tactics? Why is it that conservatives and moderates can't seem to find the leverage to kill stories that embarrass them?

Well, today the editors and staff at GQ should be embarrassed.

The funny thing is that this magazine is supposed to be a men's magazine. Who wants to read a men's magazine run by a bunch of girly-men?

West Hartford: Automated Trash Collection Doomsday approaches!

Alas, this is the final week for West Hartfordites to be able to load up their front lawn with lots extra trash before we convert to the new Automated Trash Collection process set to begin on October 1st. If you have a dozen questions about the process - the link above answers many of them.

My take on the policy is very mixed, but I think I'm slightly leaning toward being disappointed by the change.

On one hand, if this new automated trash policy reduces cost to the town and on taxpayers than I can see the need to move to automation as a fiscal strategy to reduce expenses (and I have no information that we are going to see cost savings by the projected numbers, so if you have this information please comment below or provide a link).

But on the other hand, I'm disappointed that I won't be able to put a lot of the "extras" out on my lawn that don't normally fit into a regular 28 gallon trash barrel or the new 95 gallon trash barrel (to be provided) which the garbage men today have no qualms about picking up and throwing in the truck. And moreover, during holidays and when we have events, our garbage increases 10 fold - I hope that I can cram all of my trash into the barrell provided. I have no intention of pestering my neighbors to add to theirs as Dana Hallenbeck suggests you do if you have days where trash doesn't fit into your barrel.

One of the points that irks me is that some families are larger than others and therefore have more trash per week than others. People with infants and children will clearly have more trash then say two-adult families, and people with five family members will have more trash than those with only three persons in residence. The 95 gallon barrel is a one size fits all solution that is obviously impractical.

Further, West Hartford's solution for days that you have more trash than you can fit in your barrel is to purchase another barrel at $85 a year. Since we pay-mega taxes in West Hartford, you'd think the town would and should cover the cost of the additional barrel if you have the need. Obviously, the town shouldn't pay for everyone to have two 95 gallon barrels but there could be some type of program to address the discrepancy of volume.

I think the biggest disappointment with regard to the new trash policy is that we can no longer take our fallen tree limbs, or shrub clippings - cut them up, and bundle them along side our barrels for pick up. The town expects you to cut them up small enough to be placed in the 95 gallon barrel along with the rest of your trash.

So there we have it. Until we use our barrel for at least a month, we won't be able to fully evaluate the impact. So until then, the jury is out. In the meantime, West Hartfordites should be seen in a frenzy this weekend preparing for the Fall clean out, and their last opportunity to unload their junk for free.

West Hartford

Stop the delays! Finish Route 11!

One of the biggest debacles by being held up by Connecticut Bureaucrats and Federal Authorities is the hold up of the completion of Route 11 which was to provide a direct 10-12 mile highway from Colchester/Salem to New London/Waterford. The stalled project is one of the most sad and embarrasing stories in the history of Connecticut Infrastructure projects.

For most of us living in Northern Connecticut, we tend make the shoreline commute for pleasure - so those of us that are seafaring types, beach-goers, and vacationers who travel south toward New London see a mild inconvenience on weekends. But then there are those that live along Route 85, and many who must make a daily commute to earn their living by traveling up and down the slow and dangerous, poorly lit, double lane road to their work destination. The long and tedious trip begins at Salem Four Corners (once you get off of Route 2 in Colchester) and ends in Waterford around the Waterford Mall.

It's clear to anyone driving down Route 2 that the neighbors are fed up with traffic and madness on Route 85. Just about everyone who lives along Route 85 has a sign on their lawn urging officials to begin what they started back in 1953. Here is a timeline of the stalled effort.

The group Connecticut Needs Route 11 has been working tirelessly to try and bring this ridiculous stop and start Merry-Go-Round project to a close (or even a restart). After years of rhetoric by local, state, and federal officials including Leon Mineta, and Jodi Rell, its high time that the delays and stall tactics come to an end.

For the benefit of all of us who reside in the Nutmeg State... let's get this project finished.

Here are a few good articles on the Route 11 mess:

Living in Limbo Along Route 11 (The Day)

The Road to Nowhere

History of Route 11 (and good reference list of articles)

Wetlands are a major obstacle (The Day)

Petition to Finish Route 11

The Day's three day series on the project

There is even an article on Wikipedia about Route 11

Almost too tired to write anything meaningful, but...

It's been a busy weekend. There's not much I can add at this point to what was a full schedule of general activity. I failed to get the lawn mowed, but what a pity. Somethings just have to fall by the wayside, don't they? So, I'm sitting back at this late hour and enjoying a Spaten Beer, and lamenting the fact that it's past my bedtime and I have to get up to start the week cycle all over again.

The weekends' refereeing went exceedingly well, and the games were a pleasure to officiate. One thing West Hartford can be proud of is how well its youth presents itself out on the field of play. Parents of West Hartford can take note that whatever they are doing to instill decency and good behavior amongst the kids... well, they are doing it right, and aught to keep on doing it. This kids are making you proud.

Next week, we'll start heating it up on this blog once again. I have some great material going forward. We'll give it a whirl and see if we can keep in entertaining.