Something I read in the Buffalo News from a reader caught my attention regarding Public Employee benefits. Is it really true that the income public retirees draw from isn't taxed by NYS? Governments are experts at double and triple dipping, so it seems bizarre to me.



Let's talk briefly about the idea of taxpayers covering the losses of the public employee pension system. My own retirement account took a hit, as did the accounts of my father and grandmother. Now my Uncle, who is a retired teacher, his pension is "insured" as he calls it.

I don't like the idea of people who are suffering under oppressive taxes already, and who have their own retirements obliterated, mitigating the losses of what the government has deemed to be a preferred class of people. My uncle would say "A contract is a contract!" but recently I've come to learn the Chief Exec can just rip a contract up and piss on it. So, let it fly, fresh and stinky.

These brickheads in Albany never learn. Keep on taxing, keep on spending, watch jobs and people run away from us as fast as possible. Quick count of hands - how many people think if we only tax and spend some more, and bury ourselves in debt, that things might just work this time? I'll be voting with my feet.

What an uncomfortable question to ponder, given the logical hoops people jump through vis a vis the GWOT. I think a hardened pro-abort person would be severely pissed off if I cheekily asked them this question.

Let me be perfectly clear about one thing - even though I detest late term abortion, and think of the late Dr. Tiller's former profession as being less honorable than jizz mopper, nobody had a right to take his life away from him. A snuffed out life is a snuffed out life.

Here's a thought that makes some Christian Conservatives seethe: What if the guy was honestly in church to repent and try to make things right with God? Nobody is beyond redemption.

If you were to ask me, I would say that policy is not, in and of itself, responsible for some nutter, or group of nutters, committing evil acts. To me that is a simplistic answer that ignores human nature. We are corrupt, capitalizing on any opportunity to do our fellow man wrong. I would love for the historical evidence to paint a different picture.

It is a really fucked up thing to think about, though - what if abortion were illegal? Would Dr. Tiller would be alive today? I say yes. But what does that say about the policy? Is the policy responsible? I don't think so. Complex questions don't deserve simple, talking-points-memo-esque answers.

I made a trip to Beers of the World in Rochester this Saturday in an effort to find the Pannepot, as well as some others such as the Fantome Saison and the Dark Lord Imperial Stout. Sadly the store had nothing on my list, which tells me some of the best must be available only regionally, or in the case of some of the European ales only once in a while. It's hard to know when you can get some of this stuff.

Anyway, I found this beaut at the store and it is (according to Beer Advocate) the #5 Saison style beer the world, the "Avec les Bon Voeux de la Brasserie Dupont" which more than fit the bill. I like Saison Dupont but this is much, much better. Fizzy, hoppy, spicy, light on the palatte....a perfect spring/summer brew that doesn't hit you like a sledgehammer as did the Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout.



By the way....if you happen to be in the hood and in the mood for some good beer, Beers of the World has a good selection and the prices are far lower than what I normally pay here for booze of equal caliber. I also got a Chimay goblet, something I've wanted for a bit.

I really needed that long weekend to say the least....I don't know about you guys. I was feeling pretty burned out.

Anyway, I got a last minute opportunity to go to TO to see Keane at The Sound Academy. It's a venue right on the waterfront, and I have to say it was a pretty sweet club, as well as a great place to see a show. There were FOUR BARS within close proximity where you could purchase such fan favorites as Molson Canadian and Moosehead. There was also a nice VIP area overlooking the crowd that also had seats, which would have been nice but wasn't necessary to enjoy the music.

At one point I meandered outside to the smoking area (I know, HISS HISS) and there is yet another bar, but also a HUGE deck area with a wonderful view of the TO skyline. The show was great, the venue was great, the booze was...oh I didn't drink any, actually. I just had bottled water because it got pretty warm in there with 2599 other souls.

Unfortunately you see no pics because at just about every show I've ever been to aside from hippie jam bands you are not allowed to bring a camera inside. At this show it wasn't the case - everyone had a camera pretty much and I'm such an idiot because I could have gotten some great pics and video footage.

I did, however, get some photos at the BBQ I went to this weekend. It was a mix of people young and old, and I had a great time shooting the breeze with everyone.

A rare photo of the brothers:



What I was drinkin' on that day:



Some kids chasing me with mice toys. OMG they bite!



Run Jay!!



The kids at the party were totally well behaved. Thank God. They were actually pretty fun. Jimmy, the kid I didn't show, was a 2.5 year old fueled by 2 cupcakes. Later on there was adult time when we got down to some proper boozing.

Speaking of refreshment, I got this one on Monday:



It tasted as good as it looks, trust me. I hope everyone had a good long weekend too. I'm looking forward to doing some more grilling on days like that.

Peeps -

I had a great weekend. More on that in another post later tonight. For now, a couple of things:

1) I see Barry O has a nomination for SCOTUS in. I'll reserve judgment until I get to see the pros and cons from the lovers and the haters. I like Charles Schumer, and he has earned my vote before, but this is the time when I really can't stand a thing he has to say. When he talks about what is "mainstream" or not, please just don't listen.

2) Prop 8 was upheld by CA. I know many of you are really, really disappointed today and I'm sorry for that. I guess I don't have much more to say on that for now unless someone has a question for me, which I doubt very much. I feel awful, but I know since I'm not gay I can't possibly feel as acute an anger as some of you. I thought FOR SURE that the court would try to find a way to nix it.

3) There is a new album by a band called Grizzly Bear, entitled Veckatimest. I don't know if it's your cup of tea but it certainly is mine. I am down with a capital D when it comes to some of the psychedelia stuff coming out. So many of you people like good music, and I know you do, but hardly anyone shares what they're listening to at the mo.