I certainly get the appeal of having a backyard pool (although, to be honest, I preferred a swim club when my kids were little), but they’re really, really expensive. (Which is why they’re a “status symbol.” What fun.)
But I don’t see residential pools lasting into the future. We’re already seeing drought, extreme heat and water shortages — I wouldn’t be surprised to see more money going to public pools because single-home pools will be banned.
Five thousand people at his kick off rally in Vermont. Three thousand in Minnesota. The largest crowd of any candidate this year in Iowa. Standing-room-only in New Hampshire. A surprising finish in a straw poll in Wisconsin.
Armed with low expectations and a stopped-clock message that has finally found its time, Sen. Bernie Sanders’ longshot Democratic presidential campaign is resonating with voters more than anyone expected just a few weeks ago.
The latest sign came this weekend in Wisconsin at the state’s Democratic convention. In a straw poll of delegates at the meeting, 49% party officials and activists who cast ballots picked Hillary Clinton as their top choice for the Democratic presidential nominee. No surprise there – Clinton is dominating every poll and has a stronger lead than any non-incumbent presidential frontrunner in modern history.
But Sanders was within striking distance, just 9 percentage points behind Clinton, capturing 40% of the vote.
It’s just a straw poll, which are far from predictive (ask 2012 Iowa straw poll winner Rep. Michele Bachmann). And only 511 ballots were cast total, according to a tally posted on the blog WisPolitics.
Nonetheless, it shows a desire for an alternative to Clinton and an interest in Sanders among the party’s most committed members, at least in Wisconsin. And the results show that Sanders has, at least for the moment, solidified his place as Clinton’s main rival.
Other Clinton declared and potential challengers didn’t even come close. Vice President Joe Biden and former Gov. Martin O’Malley, who declared his presidential run last weekend, each got 16 votes. Former Sen. Jim Webb got 8 and former Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who also recently declared his run, got 5. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is not running, got 4 write-in votes.
Paul Simon:
James McMurtry:
James McMurtry:
Entrain:
Tuneyards:
Had brunch with a musician friend yesterday who just saw James McMurtry perform songs from his latest album, “Complicated Game” up in NYC and said it was so powerful, he sat there and wept. (My friend was embarrassed.) So I urge you to check it out:
