Author: Vic Socotra

Arrias: Good Government

Good Government There’s an old adage that if something is “stupid but works, it’s not stupid.” There is, of course, a corollary, that if something is brilliant but doesn’t work, it’s not brilliant. This is particularly true with regard to government. The folks who cobbled together the Constitution understood this. In the Preamble, the goals […]

Arrias: China Trade: Just the Beginning

President Trump and Emperor Xi appear to arrived at an understanding: tariffs on Chinese goods will go no higher, and China agrees to purchase “substantial” amounts of grains, energy (presumably oil), industrial and other items from the US, as well as designating fentanyl a controlled substance. The two countries will continue to negotiate to address […]

Arrias: For the Next Congress

The 116th Congress will sit on January 3rd 2019. Maybe we should consider what the new Congress needs to address. The prime responsibility of Congress, in practical terms, is to fund the government. Congress passes laws to direct – in general terms – what the executive branch does, and then provides the money to carry […]

Swamp Postcard Turkey Edition

There is more, of course. But we all have to travel and I don’t think Ivanka’s email are that interesting, in the context of our digital age. It does confirm my conviction that the next two years are going to be interesting. But I am not going to file a lawsuit in the 9th circuit […]

Life & Island Times: There is a Road

There is a road In some perfect world Where wind Dances through the branches of the trees Casting leaping spots of light Across the face of a rider The trees stand tall They are grand and alone Shading the paved ribbon beneath them There will come a day when I shall no longer ride The […]

Arrias: Truth and Politics

A poll taken after the mid-term elections reveals that some 50% of Democrats label Republicans as evil, and 44% of Republicans use the same label for Democrats. 54% of Democrats view Republicans as ignorant, 49% of Republicans reciprocate. The polls goes on and on, detailing a growing schism, each calling the other bigots, sexists, racists, […]

The Swamp Re-Sorts

Goodness, Gentle Readers. What a remarkable week. you would think Election Day is just one day. Apparently not true. Amazon just announced 20,000 jobs are coming to Arlington as part of their Headquarters 2 initiative. Could be good news for local homeowners. You will note CNN’s Jim Acosta did not make the postcard this week. […]

Over, Over There

The moment will soon arrive: the centenary anniversary of the silencing of the guns at World War One. There is supposed to be more silence. You know what I mean- two minutes of silence observed at the Cenotaph in Central London’s Whitehall at eleven o’clock sharp, the symbolic moment that the Great War came to […]

Life & Island Times: Scorched

Vintage motorcycle wear Old worn motorcyclists like me have probably seen these landscape scenes on one of their rides. This is from a long ago diary entry. – Marlow Dead grass burnt from rainless months of triple digit heat. An endless sea of it. Passed a small herd of cattle scratching for a meal from […]