A Curmudgeon’s Observations: Skype, MSD, Obama & FDR

Posted: September 1st, 2011 | Filed under: Culture, Politics, Ruminations | No Comments »

I hooked up with some pals yesterday afternoon at the Heine Bros. on Frankfort Ave. (Where did we meet before the rejuvenation of the coffee shop era?)

Sitting at the next table, having an animated conversation with her computer was a lovely young lady. She was talking with a friend . . . in France.

Who among us, even as recently as a score of years ago, could conceptualize the Skyped, connected world we now live in? Future generations will laugh, when viewing pictures of electronic devices connected by wires and cables.

* * * * *

The evidence is anecdotal, but I must ask?

Now that it’s under the gun, what with Crit Luallen auditing and all, is MSD actually taking its job seriously? For the last month or so, it seems I’ve seen workers fixing sewer lines on every other block. And they actually seem to be working as opposed to taking a break.

Plus there are any number of sub-contractor trucks, doing sewer line tasks around town.

It’s about time. Compared to the other utilities around here, MSD has seemed defiantly inefficient through the years.

My anecdote. Several years ago, they did some serious repair work in my back alley, which required tearing it up. It was being done at the same time that L G & E’s efficient subs were replacing gas lines to each home. The latter came, got the job done, filled in the holes they needed to cut in the pavement and moved on.

The humongous hole MSD cut remained unpaved for a month. I started making calls. To no avail. So I resorted to my favorite tack. I called the administrative assistant to Bud Schardein, the head of MSD.

Bottom line, this lady yelled at me, the customer, over the phone, barking that I didn’t know what I was talking about, that MSD didn’t dig that hole. Even though she was in an office downtown, and I watched them dig.

Anyway, it’s nice to see them doing some work around town.

* * * * *

Barack Obama seems to be getting it from all sides. The GOPers and Tea Partyites, who hate him. The Donkeys who supported him. I’m not sure I understand.

Anyway, a pal shared this blogger’s observations of the situation. It contains this stunning video of FDR, and how he dealt with such attacks by his political enemies.

It’s going to be interesting to watch how Obama tries to get reelected. Will he come out swinging? Or will he remain trapped in a box, as I suggested in this previous blog?



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