Today’s post is a House of Representatives newsletter from Congressman Loomis Beechly, representing Minnesota’s 9th District – all the water surface area in the state.
Greetings, Constituents!
I’m glad to report that the crisis is over and our government is open for business again! Hooray!
I got all your letters and calls, and though I didn’t exactly answer every single one I did read parts of most of them, so I know the past few weeks were very difficult for you. Thanks for your very graphic suggestions about where I could put things, and how I might atone (personally) for the behavior of some other members of Congress.
In spite of some very direct invitations that you sent me about moving to another district, state or country, I want you to know that I’m staying put and I’m equally certain that we all still think the USA is the greatest country on Earth!
And now comes the really important work – Forgetting Everything That Just Happened. Fortunately, this shouldn’t be hard since our research shows most people are bored by political tiffs and when all is said and done they have no memory of who started it and who got sucker punched. An old mentor of mine once said “You’ll never lose an election by overestimating the ability of a typical voter to totally disregard the most important details.”
And no, I don’t remember who it was that said that.
I guess the lesson here is the same one any craftsman learns – know what your tools can do.
When I was a small child I decided I could get my mother to buy me ice cream by holding my breath. The first few times I tried, it didn’t work. Then one summer day we were down at the lakeshore and there was an ice cream vendor there, and I asked if I could have a cone and she said “No” so I held my breath so long that I actually did black out a little bit, got kind of dizzy, stumbled, and almost fell in the water.
That’s when I found out that while I couldn’t use breath-holding to get ice cream, I COULD use it to make my mother super mad. That was a good lesson – and i realized it was not a very useful tool since I had lots of other ways to make the very same thing happen.
And just like the voters, over time she forgot my ridiculous behavior and kept a fierce love for me deep in her heart. Actually, the voters probably won’t do that, but mothers can be trusted to set aside the silly stuff. Eventually.
I guess my real point is that as bad as this whole episode was, and although it suggests our political system is broken and in spite of the way it left a strong impression that some of our elected officials are spoiled children, at least we don’t have to put up with giant hornets that kill people indiscriminately.
And that’s why the USA is a much better place to live than China!
God Bless America!
Your Congressman,
Loomis Beechly
If you had to live in another country, which one would you choose?
Trail Baboon 
new zealand has been on my bucket list for awhile. i have never heard anyone say anything bad about new zealand. i cant think of anywhere else i can say that about.
the article about the killer bees reminds me about the kid who was right near the giant rope swing wher bill huber broke his leg when he lost the grip all the way out on the swing and went flying trhough the air before he came down with his leg in a mess, well right at the top of the hill where the woods met the road was an old abandoned shack overlooking the river bluffs. on an afternoon not long after the leg breaking incident a group of kids went to the rope swing to hang out and on the way past the abandoned house one of the kids stepped on an unseen underground nest and went through the ground with his foot into the hole where the nest was.. its a big enough surprise to find the ground which had been fine just a step ago turn into a variable that had to be reckoned with but it was an almost impossible to understand as his foot went through that it was angering the bees within and when he tried to pull his foot out he was stuck it took a couple pulls and a whole bunch of stings toget him dislodged form the hole. i wasnt there but the story came with vivid details about how he was able to run for about a block witht eh bees chasing him in a swarm stinging him and turning that minute of his life into a hell he would never forget. they got him home and off to the hospital and he lived but was seriously swollen and screwed up for days. hundreds of stings can kill you and it just about did him.
i felt sorry for him and would never wish such luck on anyone
until
boehner mcconnell bachmann palin and crew got a chance to show their true colors and mess with us in the name of me me me politics for their leaders in the tea party and the ted cruz and rand paul special interest groups they try to appeal to. bee stings might be about right.
anyone know the political circumstances in new zealand at the moment? it may be worth looking into
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I agree with tim. New Zealand would do just fine. If not that, Ireland or Nova Scotia.
“It could have been worse?” That’s the new standard? Not for me!! “It shouldn’t have happened at all!!!!”
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I worked in a lab where there was a guy from New Zealand. He was very out going and friendly. I’m sure there are friendly people like him all over the world. However, he is the only New Zealander that I have gotten to know and, as a result, I think of New Zealand as a place that has lots of friendly people.
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ted cruz is from texas and my experience is that every one from texas is a jerk. it works jim. your theory holds
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Good morning. Canada. Unfortunately Canada’s current Prime Minister is a bad one as far as I’m concerned. That could change. I would be able to fit in fairly quickly because Canada is not very different from here. Canada is not so heavily involved in imposing it’s will on the world the way we are in the US. Each time we get involved in another war I think about moving to Canada. Also, they already have a good government medical care program. I’m sure there are some great places to live in Canada. I hear that Victoria is very nice.
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victoria island is wonderful. canada is great. nobody cares about their prime minister. a good one or a bad one doesnt make a lick of difference in the world.they could threaten to cut off the maple syrup supply but thats pretty empty threating dont you think? i like the ones that date mick jaggers wives. party on dude. its good to have a rocking prime minister.
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Rise and Shine Baboons!
Italy, I believe. The weather, scenery, food and art are just terrific. Although Silvio Bersconi, corruption, gypsies begging and picking pockets are all problematic. However, are they more problematic than our Federal Congress? AND George Clooney has a home on Lake Como. He surely adds to the lovely scenery. New Zealand is close behind Italy, as well. (PS. My sister’s High School best friend and her husband lived there 3 years. Her husband re-organized the nations electric grid).
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italys great. you go in knowing there is no pretense of anything. just do it and worry about it later. good food good wine good fashion good design and if you have to work a little bit thats part of the deal i guess
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Did the Teapublicans hold their breath long enough to make the country turn blue? I am beginning to think they are a secret leftist plot to undermine the opposition.
I’d go to Canada, too. If I couldn’t live in Minnesota I’d like to be close enough to visit often.
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iowas kind of like another country
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Norway. Lovely country, nice people, snow in the winter, enough folks who are English proficient that I could muddle along until I learned Norwegian, and lots of good dairy products. Plus, they don’t seem to have a messed up political system. Sure, they can be a bit xenophobic (wouldn’t you be if you had been an occupied country during WWII?), but I’m sure the good qualities of the culture make up for that.
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Morning all. Since I get to do some traveling for my job, I’ve often fantasized about where it might be nice to live. Funny how the most likely place is always the last place I’ve been. Hmmmm. Anyway, I’ve thought that Belgium would be nice… one of the little towns within an hour of Brussels… brick house with beautiful flower baskets at the windows and a trusty bike to get you around the village. Paris… coffee and pastry in the morning at the sidewalk cafe and then all the walking and art and walking and art. South Africa… running a safari camp in Krueger, meeting new people every couple of days and never leaving anything out that a monkey can grab and run off with. Ciampino… little town southeast of Rome at a beautiful farm/vineyard, drinking wine and making pasta. Just my top few!
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My erstwife lives in Belgium, vs. She loves the health program. The country, however, is badly split between the Flemish and the Walloons.
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I’m sure that Walloons are wonderful people, but that name brings to mind people that are balloon-like – very round and bouncy.
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We lived in Canada for 6 years and I would live there again. i found myself somewhat frustrated at times with the political system because it seemed to take so long for the government to do things. Looking back, I see that the Canadian government is efficient. There just isn’t the drama we have here. :By the way, Jim, the Canadian health system was legislated way back in the 1930’s, I believe, at a time when there was as conservative party in power at the federal level. They were compassionate conservatives, though, and took seriously the idea for a national health plan proposed by Tommy Douglas, a social democrat (and Baptist minister) member of Parliament from Saskatchewan. He is a pretty inspiring guy.
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Actually, my husband reminds me that the health system began first in Sask, and then spread province by province over the next several decades. Douglas was the Premier of Sask. as well as a member of Parliament.
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I think I’d like to be a nomadic traveller that just goes from place to place, country to country. There’s just so much out there…
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i like that.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0janfcZ8LUw
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pjs favorite
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How’d you guess, tim?
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An international harem? Really? This idea is getting better and better!
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A tough question since it seems governments around the world keep squeezing their citizens tighter and tighter for tax dollars and/or control of their lives.
Canada is my logical choice–probably BC or Alberta. Like others said, it’s most similar to the US and close enough to be able to visit family and friends.
I loved Switzerland when we visited, but being an island of sanity in the sea of the European Union fiasco might be stressful.
I hear great things about New Zealand, but understand one must have a certain minimum net worth and income to emigrate there.
Living in the idyllic wine region of SE Australia might be heaven, but the wife would go nuts trying to understand the Aussies. We have an Aussie friend whom we’ve known for more than 20 years and she still can’t understand most of what he says.
If all else fails, the simplest solution might be to buy 100 acres in the middle of nowhere and drop off the grid entirely.
Chris in Owatonna
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i think they have that in south central minnesota. right outside owatonna
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True dat, but not quite in the middle of nowhere. More like in the middle of not much. 🙂
Chris
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Did you all link through the hornet article to the video about Japanese honeybees defending themselves from a potential hornet attack? Amazing story and really incredible camera work. How did they do that?
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/animals/bugs-animals/bees-and-wasps/bees_vs_hornet/
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I’m with Anna, I’d go to Norway. Gorgeous country with natural beauty of every kind, temperate climate (never too hot, and not too cold), nice people and language close enough to Danish that the transition shouldn’t be too difficult. A healthcare system that works for everyone and a government that understand what compromise is. It’s close enough to Denmark that I could visit family more often, and the rest of Europe is within easy reach. Yep, Norway’ would work for me.
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i was surprised when i did a quick data check on new zealand at how as they were saying nice things about new zealand they compared it to the top countries in the world in each catagory. the top countries that kept popping up were denmark and sweden. iceland was highest for peaceful , sweden and denlmark for quality of life.
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When they do research on which countries are the happiest, Denmark usually comes in first. Sweden and Switzerland always rank high, too.
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Why not Denmark itself?
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Too close to the relatives, besides there are mountains in Denmark; I want it all. Mountains, oceans, fjords, the whole shebang.
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NO mountains in Denmark.
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Narnia, if I can find the wardrobe when I want to come back.
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that sounds good to me, too.
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Hopefully post-White Witch Narnia…
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OT – Anyone planning on going to the Lucy Wainwright Roche concert tonight at the Ginkgo?
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belgium and paris were both very comfortable in the 1/2 day i have spend in each but it was so cloudy. isnt it funny where you remember the way it was even if you know thats the odd moment not the norm. south africa and other places on my wish list are of huge curious interest. i hear south africa is beautiful . rome… how is it i have not been to rome. i think id like it. the canadian roclkies are incredible and steve is right ireland has an aura that is correct. i thought honduras would be wonderful spain is a treat i hear prauge and buda pest are great values in living in easter europe wouldnt nepal be a kick for a year or two, i have got to get to scandanavia and enjoy the marvelous world that comes from there. i love travel. the guy who used to do the rake magazine sold his house and is traveling around the world and doing an interesting facebook post and a blog i love to hear from tom bartel is the guy
https://www.facebook.com/travelpast50 is his facebook deal. but his personal is i think how i got to him. check it out. old guy in hostels and living on the other side of the the travel world. its an interesting view. makes you wish you were there.
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i am frustrated, i love her and i have a reunion to go to tonight that i am looking forward to. nice problem i guess. two things i really want to go to.
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I am interested in moving to Port Angeles, Washington, but that’s not another country. I haven’t traveled much, so my idea of what it would be like to live somewhere else would just be on someone else’s say-so or any reading/internet searches I’ve done, as well as my own fantasies.
Free or affordable healthcare, low cost of living, not too many people, beautiful scenery – that’s what I’m looking for. I don’t know what countries have good, affordable healthcare or low cost of living, but any of these intrigue me – Canada, esp. Nova Scotia. PE Island, or British Columbia; Finland; Scotland, and New Zealand. Or Iceland.
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Edith, you can rule out Finland and Iceland (or any Scandinavian country for that matter) on the basis of low cost of living. Quality of life is great, but it’s expensive.
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Good to know. Unless I become much wealthier than I think I will be, I will not move to a Scandinavian country! Now I just have to narrow it down amongst the other countries I picked.
(who am i kidding? if i rarely travel beyond the borders of minnesota, it’s highly unlikely i will move to another country to live.)
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We had a wonderful time in Nova Scotia. Prince Edward island was also great.
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so how was lucy pj did you go?
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No one wanted to go with me, so I stayed home.
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OK, apparently there’s a glitch and something didn’t get posted. Good morning, Baboons.
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Maybe Dale is giving us the weekend off? Have a great one, baboons.
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But maybe we don’t WANT the weekend off from the blog.
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Perhaps he is sleeping late like I did – the flannel sheets held me in their thrall on this cool, grey morning. It was very difficult to peel myself out.
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Yes.
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We slept late. Lots of cooking and yard work in the offing for today. We are dabbling in North African cuisine this weekend.
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Oooh, that sounds delicious. I’m cooking up a vat of beef bortsch big enough to feed an army. Have lots of sour cream and fresh dill on hand.
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Want company for dinner?
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Drat, I didn’t see this until just now, but we sure would have enjoyed your company.
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Oooh, that sounds delicious. I’m cooking up a vat of beef bortsch big enough to feed an army. Have lots of sour cream and fresh dill on hand. Baking a loaf of pumpernickel for good measure.
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give me clues on baking pumpernickle. i love that stuff.
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You have to add gluten in some way, either vital wheat gluten or potato flour. We just got some organic pumpernickel from King Arthur. They use 2 1/4 cups white flour to 1 cup pumpernickel for one loaf.
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I thought potato was non-gluten.
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You are absolutely right. I admit to confusion while reading a recipe for Pumpernickel bread that had no extra added gluten but added potato flour.
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It needn’t be that complicated. I buy a mix at Ikea; it’s wonderful and inexpensive. All I do is add 20 oz. of warm water to the container with the mix, and follow the instructions on the carton. This is the bread I use for making the traditional Danish open face sandwiches. I have dinked around with plenty of recipes, and I hate to tell you this, but I can’t make it any better.
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Maybe Dale moved to New Zealand.
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how about proclaimig it a recipe weekend. im baking wheat bred from the broccoli forest cookbook and its not coming out right. anyone got a good whole wheat bread recipe. how about a soup or two, goulosh or caseroles? i’m getting hungry.
i went to the first half of my reunion last night at the shout piano bar downtown mpls, it was packed with people for parties and fun. 7-10 there wasnt a seat in the house seats 500. it was an awful idea for a reunion . music was too loud, the seating
allowed me to talk only to the people on either side and there was no room to move around. i got to talk to the two people i wanted to for an hour or two and then the night was over. tonight is part two at a ski chalet with a band a fire pit and a bunch of folks compared to the small number last night. should be fun. picking up my drummer coming in from seatle for the big night. special sale on mulled wine and irish coffee ill bet
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I had a similar experience at my last reunion, tim – the loud music so you couldn’t hear yourselves speak. Who plans these things?
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Whichever country’s disdain for Americans is lowest – that’s where I’ll move. It would kill me to be unpopular.
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Pretty slim pickens.
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Glad I can still pass for a Dane.
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Donna, they love Americans in Ireland. And the beer would please you, too.
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YOOHOO, Dale, where are you?
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Sorry, PJ and all, I had a full day yesterday and haven’t checked the blog until just now. The post that was supposed to go up on The Baboondocks yesterday is there now, in case you need a fresh space to play in. Have a lovely, drizzly Sunday!
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OK, like tim suggested – recipe day… your favorite fall recipe – here’s one paraphrased from the co-op newsletter:
Winter Squash & Apple Bake
1. Cut up 2 # winter squash (that’s been peeled and seeded) into 1/4-inch “half moon” slices.
2. Do the same with 2-3 firm, seeded apples, slice 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
3. Arrange in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish, alternating and slightly overlapping the squash and apple slices.
4. Drizzle with 3 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey.
5. Mix together a crumb topping consisting of:
3 Tbsp. brown sugar, 2 Tbsp. flour, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, 1/4 tsp. allspice, pinch each of salt and pepper, 1/4 C. cold butter cut in small pieces, and 1 Tbsp. melted butter. Sprinkle the mix evenly over the top.
6. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes, or until both squash and apples are becoming tender. Remove foil and brown casserole for another 15 minutes. Serve warm. (I like it with a little half and half.)
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