Karma

[standish]

I have finally achieved the Nirvana of perfect balance in the world of on-line Karma. After ups and downs, I have accomplished ZERO Karma. I take this to mean that my comments and/or positions please as many as they offend. My score went to "ZERO" when I chose to point out how hard Russ Morin worked on the Cove issue. "ZERO" is the goal toward which to strive. It means one is not a demagogue seeking to ride public opinion. Nor is one a miscreant on the negative side of everything. Balance. It's almost Eastern. At least New Englandish.

[Jubashero]

To the New Englandish Standish

I chose to “let sleeping dogs lie” in deference to the time and effort that you and the mayor committed to the cove issue. I believe that both of you represented Wethersfield’s interests well, no matter what the outcome was, is or will be.

My problem is that, in my opinion, the interests of Wethersfield are not served by the democrats taking all the credit for the cove issue. Perhaps the most important milestone for an expeditious solution is passage of next year’s referendum. Do you want people to vote no on the referendum to spite the Democrats?

In addition, taking all the credit is wrong. The fact is that everyone involved was happy that MDC was going to limit the cove discharge to a 1-year storm event during the first phase, and the long-term plan limited discharges to the 18-year storm event. For the cove, this was certainly a good deal. But you have to remember, this deal is exactly those actions recommended by the prior consultant, i.e., negotiate for a higher standard than 1-year storm event, take what the MDC has to offer, and not to file a lawsuit. In the end, it was not Wethersfield’s threat of a lawsuit or the Plan for the Cove that resulted in MDC’s decision to undertake the more expensive option, it was EPA’s involvement that required improvement of the systemic problems in the entire MDC system. In one of your posts, you actually expressed concerns that EPA’s involvement may hurt Wethersfield’s gains in discussions with MDC.

So I think the discussion should not be on the past but who can best help Wethersfield in the future and vote accordingly.

[standish]

jubashero said:

My problem is that, in my opinion, the interests of Wethersfield are not served by the democrats taking all the credit for the cove issue. I AGREE. IT WAS DAN O'CONNOR, A REPUBLICAN, WHO HAD THE COURAGE TO INTRODUCE THE RESOLUTION FOR LITIGATION, AS ADVANCED BY THE NEIGHBORS. ONLY A FEW DEMOCRATS HAD THE GUTS TO RUN ON THAT PLATFORM. NOR WAS THE SUIT RESEARCHED OR DEVISED BY ANYONE ON COUNCIL. HOWEVER, THE REPUBLICANS ACTIVELY OPPOSED THE OPTION, THOUGH THEY, TOO, WERE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT IT. Perhaps the most important milestone for an expeditious solution is passage of next year’s referendum. Do you want people to vote no on the referendum to spite the Democrats? WOULD YOU, AND OTHERS, DO THAT? CAN YOU BE THAT PARTISAN AND PETTY? WOULD YOU SABOTAGE A CLEAN COVE FOR SPITE AND STICK IT TO POSTERITY? I HOPE NOT.

In addition, taking all the credit is wrong. The fact is that everyone involved was happy that MDC was going to limit the cove discharge to a 1-year storm event during the first phase, and the long-term plan limited discharges to the 18-year storm event. WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? NOBODY SUPPORTED THE 1-YEAR STORM. NOR WAS THERE EVER A PROPOSAL FOR AN 18-YEAR STORM ANYWHERE, LET ALONE IN THE "LONG TERM PLAN". THIS IS NONSENSE! For the cove, this was certainly a good deal. But you have to remember, this deal is exactly those actions recommended by the prior consultant, i.e., negotiate for a higher standard than 1-year storm event, take what the MDC has to offer, and not to file a lawsuit. YOU ARE MAKING MY POINT. THIS WAS THE REPUBLICAN PLAN: DO WHAT DEP AND MDC WANTED TO DO... NEXT TO NOTHING OTHER THAN THE 1-YEAR STORM STANDARD REQUIRED BY THE CLEAN WATER ACT. In the end, it was not Wethersfield’s threat of a lawsuit or the Plan for the Cove that resulted in MDC’s decision to undertake the more expensive option, it was EPA’s involvement that required improvement of the systemic problems in the entire MDC system. WHY WAS IT, THEN, THAT WINA AND RUSS WERE IN ON EVERY NEGOTIATION LEADING TO THE ZERO-DISCHARGE SOLUTION WE NOW ENJOY? EPA WASN'T EVEN ON THE HORIZON AT THE TIME.In one of your posts, you actually expressed concerns that EPA’s involvement may hurt Wethersfield’s gains in discussions with MDC. THEY WOULD... WE'D MOST LIKELY END UP WITH ONLY A 1-YEAR STORM FOR THE COVE AFTER ALL WE'VE DONE TO DIFFERENTIATE THAT BODY OF WATER.

So I think the discussion should not be on the past but who can best help Wethersfield in the future and vote accordingly.
WHO DO YOU PURPORT THAT TO BE? LET ME GUESS...

[standish]

Wow! Syzygy must REALLY have it in for me. Every time Oldetowne gives me a positive Karma point, Syzygy takes two away. No wonder my Karma is all over the map. And I thought I'd achieved balance. I guess it actually IS balance when factored over time...

[SyZyGy]

Much Ado About Nothing
William Shakespeare
Act 1, Scene 1

Messenger: A lord to a lord, a man to a man; stuffed with all honourable virtues.

Beatrice: It is so, indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man: but for the stuffing, –well, we are all mortal.

[standish]

Luke 6:41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Luke 6:42 Or how can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

"Which, by no means, excuses the speck."

[SyZyGy]

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.


(c)1926 Max Ehrmann

[standish]

I must confess that I have always found "Desiderata" to be mawkish tripe, popular culture of low value, sentimental in nature, of little literary worth, simplistic, overly didactic and condescending. Much like "mom and apple pie", it is over-used and overripe. The sentiments are worthy, but, the venue, not.

Your 'Shakespeare' reference at least bore intellect and insight. There might have been a shade of pomposity in my "karmic" self-assessment. However, it was unintentional: My real motive was to point to the vindictiveness of those who despise Russ so much as to shoot the messenger, whereas, in past instances, those same individuals carried the bearer of good tidings on their shoulders.

[Bulldog]

You fellas should take in a show at the Bushnell and talk karma.

[standish]

Right. This is the sports jock board. Anything that requires deeper thought outside that realm doesn't belong here... unless it's about the physics of lights. Are we straining your ability to focus, with topics other than the fire hydrant, "bulldog"? Lighten up with the anti-intellectualism. Expand your horizons.

[standish]

...and I swore to myself I wouldn't get down in the mud. I apologize for my recent tone on this board.

"If you can't say anything nice about someone, don't say anything at all", so, that's the end of my posts unless some real issues arise. However, I don't expect them to appear here.

[god]

Based on my lack of posts on this site, I must say that it appears someone is attempting to achieve atonement, through karma.

I know an Eddie Haskell, when I see one...

"That's a lovely dress you are wearing today, Mrs. Cleaver".

I wonder who would be feeling so guilty as to............?

[standish]

god said:

I wonder who would be feeling so guilty as to............?

Apparently, you're not an omniscient 'god', or, you'd already know the answer... or, is your question rhetorical? Perhaps a lesser god of the electrons.

Anyone have anything to say about "Wethersfield-boy-makes-good" Chris Healy? Do we gain some clout?

[SyZyGy]

standish wrote:
"Anyone have anything to say about "Wethersfield-boy-makes-good" Chris Healy? Do we gain some clout?"

Why do YOU ask?
What is YOUR answer!
"We"?
"Clout"?
Please, sir,
Illuminate!

[standish]

xntryk said:

standish wrote:
"Anyone have anything to say about "Wethersfield-boy-makes-good" Chris Healy? Do we gain some clout?"

Why do YOU ask?
What is YOUR answer!
"We"?
"Clout"?
Please, sir,
Illuminate!

I am a resident of Wethersfield. Chris is a resident of Wethersfield. One would presume that, having served in various capacities here, including the Charter Revision Commission with me, he might be privy to those interests near and dear to Wethersfield residents' hearts. One might also hope that he would share at least some of those interests and act accordingly.

Res Ipsa Loquitor. Why, pray tell, do you ask?

Since you are so fond of defining your terms for all the world, I have taken the liberty of doing the same for you: esp. see #4:[/size]
Main Entry: clout
Pronunciation: 'klaut
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English clut; akin to Middle High German klOz lump, Russian gluda
1 dialect chiefly British : a piece of cloth or leather : RAG
2 : a blow especially with the hand; also : a hard hit in baseball
3 : a white cloth on a stake or frame used as a target in archery
4 : PULL, INFLUENCE <political clout>