“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Fake the Lake” Card Game

Yesterday, while the Coronavirus Pandemic is devastating New York, state regulators announced that they were giving the best connected of the lake pollution “players” a permit that deleted the schedule of compliance for Total Phosphorus, and eliminated the schedules and conditions of the recently completed Lake Water Quality Plan. The timing of this deregulation was either very bad — or very good. Smart corporations know how to take advantage of the downturns as well as the upturns.

How is government using the Pandemic where you live?

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Fake the Lake” Card Game – page 1
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“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Famous Quotes – Remix with a Twist”

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Famous Quotes – Remix with a Twist”

The “twist” in this case is the political remix given to the quotes. The nicest thing about a remix is that you start with something that is already of known quality — this is the reason there are series that are spun off of a successful movie based on an earlier “prequel” TV show with the characters from a trio of hit movies from the previous decade [It’s also easier to get backing – “If it ain’t broke; remake it.”]

The same technique can be observed in politics: remix what has proven successful in the past at gaining votes and backing.

The producers of one reality show about logging asked the owner to have more equipment breakdowns and dangerous situations to make it more exciting for viewers. How much reality is there in today’s “reality”?

How much equality is there in today’s “equality”?

You can always go back to the well as long as someone keeps filling it. What’s the reality of this action?

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Benjamin Franklin Quotes and Rules of Politics”

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Benjamin Franklin Quotes and Rules of Politics”

I took these ten Benjamin Franklin quotes and used them to illustrate both the universality of human behavior and their usefulness as a touchstone in understanding politics.

Politics is all about people – Numbers in politics are always an afterthought; used to convince a public brought up on the pseudoscience of pie charts and percentages. [That the same basic data can be used to support widely differing conclusions is common knowledge, and usage, among corporate report writers.]

Like the Mark Twain quotes; once again, there is an insight into human nature that overrides the “issues” that are used to distract us.

Since human nature is universal and unchanging: why does our bureaucracy continue to get more complicated? Why indeed.

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Mark Twain Quotes and Coloring Page”

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Mark Twain Quotes and Coloring Page”

These Mark Twain quotes are very much to the point and worth thinking about; and coloring and doodling are good ways to let the mind wander into some productive thinking territory.

I’ve decided to add pieces and maybe a section the book to results of research into the use of visual imagery to promote creative and innovative thought. This “qualitative thinking” is based on my belief that art and ideas occupy the same area of the mind; and that the most productive thinking can be done “in situ.”

Work on the Idea Enhancement Project has been pushed to the back while I’ve been writing these books, and this will give me a chance to share the results so far and keep moving forward.

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Frequent Felons Program”

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “Frequent Felons Program”

Prisons punish criminals . . . No, prisons rehabilitate criminals . . . no, wait . . . we don’t really know what the intentions of our criminal justice system is. It seems, however, to be much more comfortable with acts of criminals than their victims.

Victims are “in the wrong place at the wrong time” or “put themselves” into that situation.

Our justice system is a long term caregiver for felons; but it “shines on” the victims and their families with a “plea bargain – closure” two-step.

Criminals can turn themselves around and start with a clean slate; but the pain is never erased for the families, friends, relatives, and children of their victims.

Our criminal justice system is not the custodian of our society; it’s just a bureaucratic machine covered in human skins.

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “The Climate Change Companion” Book

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – “The Climate Change Companion” Book

I hope to fill out the book more; maybe in a book review or “newsletter.” A travel section listing venues like the “Dead Zone Aquapark –The safe family play destination.” “No prey. No predators. No problems.” Sea Rising Maps for land investments in the new seashore. Articles on Climate-proofing Your Home, and The Climate Change Diet – What Food Items Will Survive or science tidbits like Canada: The New Tornado Alley and GMO on the Grow.

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – Easy Riddles – “The New Society”

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – Easy Riddles - “The New Society”

This version of the classic riddle is intended to involve children with thinking about government [a much older and more difficult riddle.]

People can solve riddles and people learn new things; but it’s easier not to — people can control government; but it’s easier to let government do the driving and go along for the ride.

That’s one reason I’m so fond of fables as a learning tool; they can give the knowledge without having to experience the situation.

What about people who don’t even learn from experience? Why do people in a horror movie always split up? [Even when you tell them not to.]

“Cornithaca County” Book Preview – Easy Riddles – Solution: “The New Society”