Sunday Photo-‘Toons 1.20

Ken O’Brien

We closed last week looking forward to the week ahead.

Unlike most of you, my untempered anticipation resulted not from looking forward to an upcoming weekend of debauchery marking the traditional end of summer.

It certainly wasn’t marked by the fact that over that weekend I would be a virtual prisoner in my own home, unwilling to risk the prospect of going out and having to try to get home behind a caravan of vehicles heading to the Woodstock Fair given the detours on routes 131 and 169. 

The “New Jersey Experience” Under Christie

Ken O’Brien

Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey was the keynote speaker at the opening of last night’s Republican convention.

Christie has been a darling of conservative Republicans because of his blustering put downs of anybody who challenged him publicly. Many hoped he would seek the Presidential nomination of his party or, barring that, be chosen as the vice-presidential running mate.

However the “New Jersey experience” under Christie has been anything but rosy. Here are some key economics stats to know about Christie’s tenure as the Garden State’s chief executive: 

Sunday Photo-‘Toons 1.19

Ken O’Brien

Without a town council or school committee meeting it’s been a pretty quiet week in dear old Southbridge. As the saying goes, these are the times that try a critic’s soul.

A couple of subcommittee developments have provided some saving fodder for the foolish.

In addition we always have the endless well of silliness provided by races for national office. 

What Will They Say If Hurricane Isaac Strikes Tampa During The Start Of The Republican Convention?

Ken O’Brien

It’s becoming increasingly likely that tropical storm Isaac will strike mainland Florida along the west coast as a category one hurricane just as the Republican National Convention gets underway.

While not of an equivalent magnitude of hurricane Katrina, I could not help wondering if the voices of the American Taliban religious right would view it as having the same warnings of divine disapproval that were invested in the New Orleans tragedy.