|
|
|
March 14, 2008
Smoke-filled chat
Anyone get a load of Harry Reid's fireside chat? It was very picturesque -- right down to the details of a split-wood fire: It was the 75th anniversary of President Roosevelt's first Fireside Chat in 1933, delivered in the depths of the Great Depression. But with FDR long gone and a Republican in the White House, there was no obvious way to commemorate the occasion. So Reid and his aides hatched a plan: They lighted a split-wood fire in the green-marble fireplace in his office, pulled a leather armchair in front of it and invited reporters in for a "Fireside Podcast" delivered by Harry Delano Roosevelt. Or was it Franklin Delano Reid?I don't know what name should be bestowed on Reid, but I feel a duty to the earth to point out that what Reid and his aide did was a grotesque waste of carbon resources which sent the wrong environmental message. Not only is burning wood in a fireplace bad for the environment, but it is a crime in a growing number of American communities, and the fireplaces themselves are rapidly becoming illegal: Builders will be banned from installing wood-burning fireplaces in new homes, and it will be illegal to buy and install one when remodeling a home. Gas-burning fireplaces will be allowed.I don't know what the laws are in Washington, so I'm not about to issue a call for a special prosecutor. (Besides, legislators usually exempt government -- and themselves -- from all such laws, which is why school buses and "recycling" trucks are free to pollute like hell.) Remember, this appalling misuse of carbon resources is coming from a guy who wants to "toughen air standards," and calls for crackdowns on the evil coal industry. I'm not calling Harry Reid a criminal (or even a hypocrite), but shouldn't he be setting an example? What's next? A FDR-style cigarette in a holder? Perhaps this is just a question of Harry Reid needing to get with the times. I mean, I've waxed nostalgically over the "SPLIT WOOD NOT ATOMS!" generation, but that movement went out of style, and by the early 90s it was becoming as politically incorrect as smoking. Seriously; here's the NY Times from 1991: Environmental groups that had promoted the use of wood-burning stoves through slogans like "Split Wood, Not Atoms," are now supporting the restrictive measure under consideration here.As to smoking, and FDR's cigarette holder... Isn't there a lot of talk lately about the need for smoke-filled rooms in the Democratic Party? I realize that Harry Reid has long been an anti-tobacco crusader, but if he ever changes his mind, have I ever got a brand for him!
No fireside chat would be authentic without them! MORE: The video of Reid sitting in front of the burning wood can be streamed here.
UPDATE: My thanks to Glenn Reynolds for the link! A warm welcome to all. Comments always appreciated. posted by Eric on 03.14.08 at 10:41 AM
Comments
Oh C'mon! Mike · March 14, 2008 08:59 PM ... with FDR long gone and a Republican in the White House, there was no obvious way to commemorate the occasion. FDR's first firside chat was at the Mayflower Hotel! Guess this wouldn't have been a good week to be hold Reid's event in the "Spitzer Hotel". LOL! jeanneB · March 14, 2008 11:12 PM What in God's name are we taxpayers doing giving this clown such a fancy office. A cubicle would be just fine. Jeff Cauthen · March 14, 2008 11:47 PM Haven't heard from Halfwit Harry in awhile. Didn't miss his wisdom. He should keep quiet and stay off the radar. He's a classic moron. Douchebags are adime a dozen. Chip Gill · March 15, 2008 12:05 AM Post a comment
You may use basic HTML for formatting.
|
|
March 2008
WORLD-WIDE CALENDAR
Search the Site
E-mail
Classics To Go
Archives
March 2008
February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 May 2002 AB 1634 MBAPBSALLAMERICANGOP See more archives here Old (Blogspot) archives
Recent Entries
• A winning strategy of losing?
• Your Money Back If Not Satisfied • Wonder Drug • Parsley, Wright, Obama, and time • Calling all vegetables! • The Industrial Side Of Things • Smoke-filled chat • The corruption of the pure? Or the purity of corruption? • Night Rocket • "Obama's Bra 54 Double 'D'"
Links
Site Credits
|
|
Senator Bob Smith of NH, in discussing the criminalizing of flag-burning 20 years ago, said "Burning the flag isn't criminal? My constituents can't even burn leaves!"
I haven't been a supporter of such amendments - I want to know which people will burn the flag - but you have to admit it's a great point.