Saturday Open Thread [8/10/13]
Sad news to report — Fr. Roberto Balducelli, OSFS was well known throughout the city for all of his good work out of St. Anthony’s Parish. His 100th birthday is today and many people were looking forward to his birthday celebration. He died last night. I only met him once, but it certainly seems that his impact throughout the city was immense. The city will certainly miss him.
Yesterday was Starbucks Appreciation Day — but the only people doing the appreciating were gun groups. The Starbucks in Newtown, CT closed early rather than be descended upon by these idiots parading their guns:
Earlier, however, more than two dozen gun rights supporters, some wearing pistols, camouflage or Connecticut Citizens Defense League T-shirts, showed up to show their support. The company said it had no participation in the event. Gun critics also turned out to voice their opposition.
Long after the store shut down around 4:30, people on both sides of the gun divide stayed outside in the heavy rain, the gun supporters standing on the left, many smoking cigarettes, and the gun opponents to the right, holding lighted candles.
“Little do these ignorant people know that we come in here every day for coffee, carrying our weapons,” said Tom Catalina, 64, of Newtown. “Starbucks has always been open about their support of the Second Amendment and our right to carry, whether open or concealed. Guns make people safer.”
Can’t tell who is safer here, but, hey, Freedom Bitches!
For everyone following the *uncertainty* circus that busnesses, their pundits and the lazy pols who repeat it like to reference, this article in The Atlantic is a must read — Uncertainty Isn’t Killing the Recovery:
Big businesses like to complain. Sometimes, they complain about taxes. Sometimes, they complain about rules. But mostly, they like to complain about uncertainty. More clarity about future taxes and regulations might make some businesses more likely to invest. But there is little reason to think that too little clarity is what’s keeping them from investing today.
Why do we know the slow recovery isn’t about uncertainty? For one, investment other than residential investment has already recovered from the crash. It’s the long shadow of the housing bust, not regulation, that’s the problem. For another, as Jim Tankersley of the Washington Post points out, uncertainty has actually fallen a lot the past few months, but hiring hasn’t picked up.
Has anyone flown Frontier out of New Castle yet? I keep hearing rave reviews of the service (and Frontier is a pretty good airline), but the NJ today reports that they may be bought up by Spirit Airlines. Spririt Airlines is NOT as nice as Frontier, but maybe the ultra low-cost model of Spirit suits this market. What do you think?
Aw geez–my first flight on Frontier from ILG isn’t for another 2 weeks (only because of some limited destinations as they incrementally roll-out their market here). Please don’t tell me now my future flights, that I’ve booked thru December may end up being w/ Spirit. Flying w/ Spirit is like going to the Waffle House. They charge you for each and every thing–carry-on baggage too. By the time you square the bill, the fare ends up being as much or more than the competitor’s. I don’t know–that’s my take. Now, if only we could talk Virgin to land here–I’d gladly pay the carry-on fees. What a treat when I can fly them.
I really hate being nickle and dimed by airlines. One of the best things about Southwest is that they get you from Point A to Point B with a minimum of fuss. You can spend money for upgrades, but other than that, you are OK. Friends took Spirit to someplace in SC once and it seemed to be a horror show. I’ve never been on them and will try not to be.
I stay on the ground whenever possible and take the train if I can. You guys have fun with the airlines, I’ll sit this one out.
SOUTHWEST. Best credit card EVER. Having 4 kids in college across the U.S. at the same time, no other card could begin to compare. No black-outs, no moving the carrot, no exclusions, no rule changes upon booking. Straight up points, and fly. A MUST HAVE in any family’s wallet w/ kids in school out-of-state. My husband was slow to convert “because they don’t have international…”, but after about half a dozen “oh that’s double points sir—or that flight is blacked out–or that one requires 21 days advance to use…” from American and United, he’s finally admitted that Christmas, the money we save w/ Southwest over and over far exceeds any potential savings on the others, even if you can catch a flight–so just book the darn flight you want, and at least get the purchase towards Southwest miles!! It’s a great card. Friendly, customer oriented service is obvious and in place, unlike the arrogant “others” who deign to hand you an extra napkin.
You’ll be pleased to know the founder, Herb Kelleher, a NJ native, is an avid Democrat and ran the company like you’d expect of a Democrat and the employees loved him. I’m a huge fan too. He took test flights all the time and stood in line like the rest of us and we customers found him to be a great conversationalist and salesman for Southwest. More CEO’s should emulate how Herb did business. CostCo CEO reminds me of him. Very much in touch with the people who pay their bills.
Ummm Stan. I guess we’ve never met. But it’s great to hear about a Democrat who not only waits in line, but pays their bills 🙂 !
Love you Delaware Libs–I just couldn’t resist!!! We still break bread right? 🙂
Only if you’re buying, Joanne. 😆
As per usual cassandra–I always get the rules, AND the bill :).