Comments for Michael J.'s Notio

Comment on Too Cool to Bluff by Ronald rostalski

Ronald rostalski — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 13:51:52 +0000

The writing from Craig Dudley is incredible.
Especially the portion that you have mentioned above.
I am so grateful(dead) that I went on facebook to look at what my
cousin posted…..he thinks I look like Bobby Weir, anyway I was intrigued
by the lyrics when I read them and stumbled across annotated lyrics.
What cool and interesting interpretations.

Comment on Co-ops, L3Cs, and Hybrid LLC/Co-ops by Donald Kreis

Donald Kreis — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:47:32 +0000

This is really thoughtful, perceptive analysis. In the end, I have no principled basis for opposing the creation of either L3Cs or LCAs (limited cooperative associations) — as you suggest, innovation is a good thing when it comes to entity formation. I worry about allowing LCAs to call themselves co-ops not because they are bad but because their form of organization is so untethered from key cooperative principles. In a sense, I think they pose a risk that the cooperative “brand” will become too diluted.
Apart from that, here are the two things that are really bothering me about all of this.
First, I deem it unconscionable that virtue-capitalists are out there drafting legislation and promoting their ideas without so much as acknowledging a whole sector of the economy — co-ops — that embody much of what they espouse and which currently serve 130 million Americans, more than the number of folks who directly or indirectly own shares of publicly traded corporations. If co-ops and their exponents were part of the conversation, then the kinds of insights you have provided would be at or near the center rather than, at best, on the periphery.
Second, I believe that these discussions, whether focussed on LC3s, LCAs, so-called constituency statutes (designed to let corporate boards take other constituencies than shareholders into account) or other such initiatives, are too likely grounded in a form of self-delusion. In my view, if we want to put our wealth and our ingenuity to work for the greater good, we are going to have to live with less individual enrichment. Lots of people proclaim themselves socially responsible investors, but most if not all are still pursuing maximum return on investment. We need to look each other in the eye and ask if we’re willing to change that, instead of creating new entities that allow us to pretend we really can do as well as we’d like by doing good.

Comment on The Twitter Inversion by Dan Benjamin

Dan Benjamin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:22:10 +0000

I’m sorry if my response to you somehow came across as “snotty.” I certainly didn’t intend it that way.
I used both Google and Twitter search, but couldn’t find the response to you at all. Do you remember what it was?

Comment on Labor Day Weekend (Four-Day Edition) by Meg Houston Maker

Meg Houston Maker — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:21:03 +0000

You are a true Renaissance man, Michael J!

Comment on Sigh by Michael J.

Michael J. — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:54:55 +0000

And if Edwards withdrew and supported Obama things would be different.

Comment on Sigh by hilllady

hilllady — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:34:00 +0000

Hey there Michael J., check out the full New Hampshire results page the Times has up — http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/states/NH.html. Notice Grafton County: Obama 45%, Clinton 32%. We live in a bubble, perhaps? No, wait–I live in Vermont!
Also note that no winner of the New Hampshire primary has gone on to win the general election since George Bush Sr. (unless you count Al Gore…).

Comment on Not Yet Within Range by hilllady

hilllady — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:19:05 +0000

Hey MJ, have you ever thought about a technology fast (TM)? Go cold-turkey on gadgets and digitalia for a week, then gradually add back one device at a time over the next month (or until the craving ceases, whichever comes first). Will save you money. Weightloss not guaranteed.

Comment on Mattresses by Sassy Pants

Sassy Pants — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 12:59:30 +0000

It gets even more complicated when the man who is selling you the mattress, to whom you’ve just given all your home address and phone information for delivery purposes, proceeds to give you his phone number and suggests you go out some time. This after a conversation about his step-daughters who are about your age. Blech.

Comment on What’s Up by PatL

PatL — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 01:06:41 +0000

I’m glad for you Michael. And for me. At this pace of blogging, I can keep up with reading you! :o)

Comment on Dear Boloco by Michael J.

Michael J. — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 08:40:34 +0000

Impressive response John. It was only a couple of hours after my email to your website and this post. Thanks for your comments. I want the Hanover shop to work, because otherwise it’s a pizza-only town (in the sub-$10 lunch arena). So, address on the way.