"I’m in a mid-rise co-op complex with three balconied buildings that face a common courtyard. Rather than using them to appreciate the view, most people seem to use their balconies as repositories for junk. It’s such an eyesore. What can I do?"
"It’s the inevitable, if unsightly, convergence of the Internet, tea party, the post-Citizens United campaign-finance era and the presence of a Democrat in the White House who is despised by many conservatives. Political operatives can create a PAC and corresponding website on the cheap, drop some cash to rent an email list and, voilà— in come the small-dollar contributions from grass-roots Republicans eager to support any effort aiming to turn out President Barack Obama or reelect the fiery West. Except those chunks of $25 and $50 don’t often find their way to any serious campaigns to beat Obama or boost West."
"Conservatives and Republicans feel a bit under siege these days because their views are not officially in style."
"All talls quickly learn that all things cost more, so earning more money is a must. Car size cannot be too small. Airlines always charge more for the extra room. Clothing must be custom-made or -sewn." —It is so hard being a tall! Also, they call themselves "talls."
Photo by Everett Collection, via Shutterstock
"Trillions of dollars worth of stock certificates and other paper securities that were stored in a vault in lower Manhattan may have suffered water damage from Superstorm Sandy. The Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., an industry-run clearing house for Wall Street, said the contents of its vault 'are likely damaged.'" —And here you are worried about people having food and water and electricity.
"For members of Congress, the thrill is gone. They don’t make national policy anymore. They can’t earmark money for communities back home. The public hates them. And perks little and big, from private jet travel to a little free nosh now and then, have been locked down by ethics rules. As they head for the exits this year, many leaving Congress say the prestigious job of being a congressman sucks now, and that’s why lawmakers young and old are trading in their member pins for a new life in the private sector."
