Is This Crazy or What?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/10/20/senators-draft-bill-to-give-visas-to-foreigners-buying-pricey-homes/

Libertarianism Happens to People

Libertarianism Happens to People

All I Ever Needed to Know About Life I Learned in "1984"

Obama is confident we can ride this out!

When I was back in high school, about forty years ago, one of the reading assignments was George Orwell’s “1984.”  I’m sorry to say I didn’t read it.  I was that kind of a student.  I had a pretty good memory.  To pass the tests, I didn’t have to do much more than listen to the teacher’s lecture.

                                                         

In the summer of 2009, I decided that maybe it was time to actually read the book, since I had been using the term Orwellian, for quite some time, to describe the world around me.  Since I was headed to the Jersey Shore, for some much needed vacation time, I purchased a paperback copy of 1984 and resolved to get through it.

What I discovered was absolutely mind boggling.  I know the rest of you are saying, “So what’s the big deal?  We’ve known that for years.”  Well, I’ll explain the big deal.  It is that sometimes we use a word like Orwellian, without actually considering how close to the truth we are.  Let me explain.  Emblazoned on the concrete façade of the Ministry of Truth were the words:

WAR IS PEACE

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

Last week, the President of the United States introduced a budget that increased spending by telling us that he was cutting spending.  He told us that everyone must sacrifice, shortly before the White House Motown Party.  The First Lady says she is concerned about my diet and then heads to Vail on vacation where she eats ribs.  The Secretary of Homeland Security tells us that the border is safer than it has ever been while agents and private citizens continue to be shot by drug cartels.  Obama says he is confident that the market will ride out the current spike in oil, while I purchase gasoline for $3.37 a gallon.  Never mind that my neighbor has been out of work for months and there are three foreclosures along my road.

Maybe we should all reread 1984.  This morning, I went to the liquor store.  I purchased a bottle of Cabernet.  It is sitting on the front seat of my car in a brown paper bag.  Later, I’ll go home and enjoy a glass or two with my wife.  If it turns out to be Victory Gin, then I will know that all is truly lost.

Global Warming... NOT!

Our Office Parking Lot

We sure could use a little of Al Gore's global warming in the Poconos this week.  Last week he blamed conservatives for trying to mislead the public about the science behind global warming.  For some reason he didn't mention the misleading info found in his documentary An inconvenient Truth.

NOAA weather forecasted snow overnight in the Poconos.  Last I checked they said that we should expect four to six inches.  This morning I woke to about a foot.  This will be the fourth time this year that I'll have to pay to have the drive plowed.  (We don't get it plowed unless it's at least six inches).  For less than that we just drive over it with our air polluting SUV's.

I usually use about 800 gallons of propane for the season but with this winter's exceptionally cold temperatures we're on track to burn at least a thousand gallons.  No doubt the left would tell me that the cold is the result of global warming...  Huh?

Well, at least the snow is good for the local economy.  The restaurants and pubs were full of skiers last night.  That may help a few of the small businesses to survive until the next stimulus kicks in.

Polar Bear Plunge

Today is the date of the annual "Pocono Polar Bear Plunge."

Each year a group of hearty celebrants brave the sub-freezing temperatures and slightly warmer water to prove that they are surviving another winter in the Poconos.  The event is cosponsored by MountainLife Real Estate and Robert Christians Restaurant.  The plunge is sure to bring out a couple of hundred swimmers and more than twice as many watchers.

This years event will draw enough of a crowd that shuttle buses will be used to get onlookers to and from the lake

Swimmers are required to pay an entrance fee.  Coffee and refreshments are served.  Proceeds are donated to charity.

After the plunge and some clean up the group will retire to Robert Christians Restaurant on Route 940 in Pocono Lake, PA.  There the brave will recant and no doubt exaggerate their exploits.

*** Note:  The above photos were taken during the 2010 plunge.

Happy Presidents Weekend

It's President's Weekend in the Poconos.  I sure hope that all of our guests enjoy the Natural beauty.  I'm a bit of an introvert, so I'll be avoiding the typical tourist spots.  I'll come out of my hole on Tuesday morning.  Be careful walking around the parking lots.  Some of them are treacherous.