"It is clear two members of the Queensbury Town Board - Tim McNulty and Michael Dixon - have no intention of addressing the conflict of interest that the Queensbury Ethics Board has found."
Small-town politics of hand-washers and back-scratchers: one hand washes the other; and I scratch your back, you scratch mine.
Wrote to all the town board members last week to urge them to consider this obvious ethics issue and resolve it. No response from any member.
(Maybe there are some life lessons at Mardi Gras for the board….)
My son was in New Orleans during the 90's and early 2000's. Each time we visited, he said, "Mom, you've got to visit during Mardi Gras." I had no interest, but, he was my son, who, to this day as a 50 year old, I cherish. There is nothing I can add to your description. A full week of parades and people celebrating life. As I read along, I wondered if you had captured the step ladders. When they appeared, I got weepy. After these past three days, it was just what I needed. Life goes on and community matters.
I wish I knew this 'Substackk Sara Idleman' back when you ran for ny21... if you had won the primary I would have voted for you regardless... but in 2018.. you weren't my first choice...
and I think reading how someone thinks.... how they have experienced life... in a non- constructed way.. makes me realize* we are electing the absolute wrong people
* I have kind of pointed this out to https://paulaforny.substack.com/ because she is honest about the system.. insightful actually... but not so much honest from the heart about herself
two takes: one - - > who is pos_tfnKKK is she the person who hated hmpy trmPEDO or is she the groveling liar... I think she is a liar regardless but she is a performance artist that changes to the mood
the last couple of politicians in ny21 .. including Brian Gendebien.. avoided putting much policy on their web page.. Ms. Collins wrote that the Democratic Party told her not to.. the 'experts' are saying be anonymous
it's not just the republicans that you don't know what they stand for...
I think the "advice from experts" had a lot to do with Kamala's loss to tffg. Its NOT good advice, but thats what people who run for office are being told.
I realize that many people wont care about policy (I mean, look who they elected!) But wouldnt it be a breath of fresh air to actually see and hear what they DO stand for? And yes, not limited to Repubs.
Especially Tim Walz.. he was funny and home spun and they had him back away from everything
When you don't know what someone stands for... what can you expect.. If the choice was anyone but hmpy.. I am voting... but in a ny21 battle, how are you going to sway anyone.. (i.e. a moderate) if you have no policy????!?!
Yes Ken, you found the beauty of community. We don't express it as lavishly, energetically, exhuberantly or as lengthily (is that a word?) as in NOLA, but we also have it here in the North Country. I see it in your words (for many years) and in our comments, in our well- attended community events, in our concerns about our country, within our friendships and families. It's love in so many forms. You found it. It is everywhere and it is stronger than the brutishness, the bullying, the greed and the delusion-driven, power-hungry monsters who aim to destroy democratic principals and practices. Thank you for describing your experience of Mardi Gras for those of us who never have. It is pure community revelry, a balance to the hard and sad times life brings to everyone. Our important work will still be there when it's over.
I see that! It's like a tidal wave and so wonderfully impressive. You touched on something I have experienced. When some poor people (as in Puerto Rican culture) want to celebrate they cook whatever they can, play music and dance! You saw that when you crossed the river.
Like me, you are fortunate to have been introduced to New Orleans and Carnival/Mardi Gras through locals. It’s so much richer than just arriving as a tourist on Bourbon Street. The feeling of community, the food, the sharing — you nailed it. Mardi Gras day itself is different for locals, too, being the day to “go to the river” — whether in a second line parade with musicians and costumes, or alone — to remember those who have passed since last Mardi Gras, and maybe send their ashes into the waters.
Jimmy Buffet has a live album: "You Had To Be There" (if ever there was someone who could enjoy Mardi Gras, it would be him)
I listened to the album 100's of times... and the phrase of being there wasn't new... but it is one of those sayings, that the more you live... the more you are there = the more you get it.
I couldn't explain Saranac Lake Winter Carnival or standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon better than saying you have to experience it really know it.
And so often it is the stepladders.. that is the things
I was at the Lillehammer Olympics.. no one wrote about this.. but during the medal celebrations you would look around and see all these Norwegians.. in red with big flags singing and have a great time... regardless if their men and women had won that day.. But maybe writing about it would be moot, because unless you are in the middle of it, embracing the joy... you just don't know it...
But as I said.. more more you experience joy, the more you get it when you weren't there but someone enthuses about it.
Those signs remind me of when I was a teen in NYC and people would put “No radio” signs on their cars. The more things change, the more they stay the same, apparently.
Ken, I am a native of Baton Rouge who moved to Upstate New York in 1989 when I was in my early 30s. It has been a pure delight to experience Mardi Gras through the eyes of a Mardi Gras virgin. New Orleans is a place unto itself, even after Mardi Gras. Thanks for sharing your joy!
"It is clear two members of the Queensbury Town Board - Tim McNulty and Michael Dixon - have no intention of addressing the conflict of interest that the Queensbury Ethics Board has found."
Small-town politics of hand-washers and back-scratchers: one hand washes the other; and I scratch your back, you scratch mine.
Wrote to all the town board members last week to urge them to consider this obvious ethics issue and resolve it. No response from any member.
(Maybe there are some life lessons at Mardi Gras for the board….)
Well, from what I read New Orleans politics is pretty bad too.
My son was in New Orleans during the 90's and early 2000's. Each time we visited, he said, "Mom, you've got to visit during Mardi Gras." I had no interest, but, he was my son, who, to this day as a 50 year old, I cherish. There is nothing I can add to your description. A full week of parades and people celebrating life. As I read along, I wondered if you had captured the step ladders. When they appeared, I got weepy. After these past three days, it was just what I needed. Life goes on and community matters.
I wish I knew this 'Substackk Sara Idleman' back when you ran for ny21... if you had won the primary I would have voted for you regardless... but in 2018.. you weren't my first choice...
and I think reading how someone thinks.... how they have experienced life... in a non- constructed way.. makes me realize* we are electing the absolute wrong people
* I have kind of pointed this out to https://paulaforny.substack.com/ because she is honest about the system.. insightful actually... but not so much honest from the heart about herself
Pretty easy to see that these days.
actually... I don't think so
two takes: one - - > who is pos_tfnKKK is she the person who hated hmpy trmPEDO or is she the groveling liar... I think she is a liar regardless but she is a performance artist that changes to the mood
the last couple of politicians in ny21 .. including Brian Gendebien.. avoided putting much policy on their web page.. Ms. Collins wrote that the Democratic Party told her not to.. the 'experts' are saying be anonymous
it's not just the republicans that you don't know what they stand for...
I think the "advice from experts" had a lot to do with Kamala's loss to tffg. Its NOT good advice, but thats what people who run for office are being told.
I realize that many people wont care about policy (I mean, look who they elected!) But wouldnt it be a breath of fresh air to actually see and hear what they DO stand for? And yes, not limited to Repubs.
I couldn't agree with you more
Especially Tim Walz.. he was funny and home spun and they had him back away from everything
When you don't know what someone stands for... what can you expect.. If the choice was anyone but hmpy.. I am voting... but in a ny21 battle, how are you going to sway anyone.. (i.e. a moderate) if you have no policy????!?!
Thanks for the trip thru Mardi Gras. Enjoyed the pics, especially of the two kids.
The nutritionist’s add reminded me of a sign I saw many moons ago, forget when and where: “Emergencies by Appointment Only.”
Thanks Don - Laugh out loud funny.
Yes Ken, you found the beauty of community. We don't express it as lavishly, energetically, exhuberantly or as lengthily (is that a word?) as in NOLA, but we also have it here in the North Country. I see it in your words (for many years) and in our comments, in our well- attended community events, in our concerns about our country, within our friendships and families. It's love in so many forms. You found it. It is everywhere and it is stronger than the brutishness, the bullying, the greed and the delusion-driven, power-hungry monsters who aim to destroy democratic principals and practices. Thank you for describing your experience of Mardi Gras for those of us who never have. It is pure community revelry, a balance to the hard and sad times life brings to everyone. Our important work will still be there when it's over.
Bea, I agree there is strong community all through upstate New York. They just show it more, much more, demonstrably in NOLA.
I see that! It's like a tidal wave and so wonderfully impressive. You touched on something I have experienced. When some poor people (as in Puerto Rican culture) want to celebrate they cook whatever they can, play music and dance! You saw that when you crossed the river.
Like me, you are fortunate to have been introduced to New Orleans and Carnival/Mardi Gras through locals. It’s so much richer than just arriving as a tourist on Bourbon Street. The feeling of community, the food, the sharing — you nailed it. Mardi Gras day itself is different for locals, too, being the day to “go to the river” — whether in a second line parade with musicians and costumes, or alone — to remember those who have passed since last Mardi Gras, and maybe send their ashes into the waters.
Thank you Mary. Glad you had the same experience.
So good to read this, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't smile broadly at the photos.
Found some great little videos of the Marine Band doin' its thing from past years at Louisiana fests:
https://www.instagram.com/rasheed504/reel/DFjU3p4JCcN/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDllCkrxx3M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuEpc8Cbkaw
Just wow.
wow is right.. the Biz Markie... pure joy
edit: hard to believe there is so much joy, from men in a uniform
Beautiful!!!!!
Jimmy Buffet has a live album: "You Had To Be There" (if ever there was someone who could enjoy Mardi Gras, it would be him)
I listened to the album 100's of times... and the phrase of being there wasn't new... but it is one of those sayings, that the more you live... the more you are there = the more you get it.
I couldn't explain Saranac Lake Winter Carnival or standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon better than saying you have to experience it really know it.
And so often it is the stepladders.. that is the things
I was at the Lillehammer Olympics.. no one wrote about this.. but during the medal celebrations you would look around and see all these Norwegians.. in red with big flags singing and have a great time... regardless if their men and women had won that day.. But maybe writing about it would be moot, because unless you are in the middle of it, embracing the joy... you just don't know it...
But as I said.. more more you experience joy, the more you get it when you weren't there but someone enthuses about it.
So hear I sit on the precipice
should be "So here..."
Well said.
Those signs remind me of when I was a teen in NYC and people would put “No radio” signs on their cars. The more things change, the more they stay the same, apparently.
Ken, I am a native of Baton Rouge who moved to Upstate New York in 1989 when I was in my early 30s. It has been a pure delight to experience Mardi Gras through the eyes of a Mardi Gras virgin. New Orleans is a place unto itself, even after Mardi Gras. Thanks for sharing your joy!