This Is Not Today’s News
But it would be nice if it were.
Via the Data Stream, by way of Jon Winet.
UPDATE: There’s a print edition, according to a press release, and apparently it’s being distributed in NYC:
Early this morning, commuters nationwide were delighted to find out
that while they were sleeping, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan had
come to an end.If, that is, they happened to read a “special edition” of today’s New
York Times.In an elaborate operation six months in the planning, 1.2 million
papers were printed at six different presses and driven to prearranged
pickup locations, where thousands of volunteers stood ready to pass
them out on the street.Articles in the paper announce dozens of new initiatives including the
establishment of national health care, the abolition of corporate
lobbying, a maximum wage for C.E.O.s, and, of course, the end of the
war.The paper, an exact replica of The New York Times, includes
International, National, New York, and Business sections, as well as
editorials, corrections, and a number of advertisements, including a
recall notice for all cars that run on gasoline. There is also a
timeline describing the gains brought about by eight months of
progressive support and pressure, culminating in President Obama’s “Yes
we REALLY can” speech. (The paper is post-dated July 4, 2009.)“It’s all about how at this point, we need to push harder than ever,”
said Bertha Suttner, one of the newspaper’s writers. “We’ve got to make
sure Obama and all the other Democrats do what we elected them to do.
After eight, or maybe twenty-eight years of hell, we need to start
imagining heaven.”Not all readers reacted favorably. “The thing I disagree with is how
they did it,” said Stuart Carlyle, who received a paper in Grand
Central Station while commuting to his Wall Street brokerage. “I’m all
for freedom of speech, but they should have started their own paper.”
We understand the Yes Men are behind this.
November 3, 2008
Erie Canal…History?
I took this picture while floating through the Erie Canal locks in Lockport, October, 2006. I was helping a friend transport his sailboat to Rochester. During the trip I thought, “Wow, what a cool way to travel—why don’t more people use this thing?”
Today I read an interesting story in the New York Times by Christopher Maag. My brother-in-law pointed it out to me, with the observation that the French, Germans, and Dutch still use ‘em—why not us?
If the canal becomes viable again, I suppose we’ll really have to update all those historical markers down by the commercial slip. Imagine if all those canal towns in upstate NY could cater to actual commerce again, rather than focusing mainly on historical tourism?
I reached out and took this picture of the stream in Medina that flows under the Erie Canal—an amazing piece of infrastructure.
Consider this paragraph from Maag’s story: The canal still remains the most fuel-efficient way to ship goods between the East Coast and the upper Midwest. One gallon of diesel pulls one ton of cargo 59 miles by truck, 202 miles by train and 514 miles by canal barge, Ms. Mantello said. A single barge can carry 3,000 tons, enough to replace 100 trucks.
Maybe if barges start using the canal again, the Thruway Authority will start making money from it again, and stop referring to it as a big problem for them to manage. And if they do that, then they’ll be able to lower Thruway tolls. Right?
Hey…a guy can dream.
April 27, 2008
Want a Naked Vacation?
THE NEW YORK TIMES front page travel section this Sunday has a fascinating article titled “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Worries.” Apparently nudist vacations are on the rise, with hotels, resorts and cruise ships ow offering “high-end options” for vacationers who want to be free not just from their jobs, but their shoes, socks, pants, skirts, blouses and cufflinks, too (you can leave your hat on).
