Author Archives: floegel

Iowa Results

Tuesday I predicted Hillary Clinton would leave Iowa weaker than she went in, that Barack Obama or John Edwards (but not both) would finish ahead of Ms. Clinton in the caucuses. I predicted the Republican finish would be Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, John McCain. I was not so wrong that I mind taking a lump […]

The Power of Belief

I must have been seven years old. My dad was helping me learn to ride a two-wheeler. He held the bike steady as I mounted and found the pedals. Then, holding the frame, he ran along behind as I cruised the sidewalk. It felt good, I was doing this, but I was apprehensive. “Keep pedaling, […]

Welcome to the Future

Oil futures hit $100 a barrel. That didn’t take long.

Iowa Predictions

This ain’t kid stuff. If I’m going to put one of these things up on the web, I should have the courage to make some predictions. If I’m wrong, I’ll take my lumps; if I’m right, I’ll try not to gloat. On the Democratic side, my prediction is: Hillary Clinton comes out of Iowa weaker […]

2007 By the Numbers

Not all the numbers, but some significant ones. As we ring out the year, the price of gas averages $2.98 per gallon in the US, up 64 cents from a year ago. The price of oil is $96.93 per barrel, up from $55.95 at the end of 2006. Gold is selling for $840 an ounce, […]

The Cold Grows Weaker

“As the days grow longer, the cold grows stronger.” That’s the old Vermont weather adage that refers to the fact that every year just after winter solstice, the thermometer heads toward zero. Vermont has always had white Christmases and New Year’s Eve is usually unutterably cold. Good night to stay inside. This year, we had […]

It’s the Only Thing

Illegal drugs are big news here in Vermont. In Windsor county, Robert Sand the state’s attorney (the equivalent of a district attorney) has long been an advocate of reforming marijuana laws. He says prosecuting cases and sending people to jail for small amounts of marijuana is a waste of taxpayer money and diverts resources from […]