The Right Idea?

Arctic Tern

Arctic Terns famously migrate from the Arctic to the Antarctic each year. If you’ve seen them in flight, you know that effortless, buoyant motion that makes them so distinctive. It’s possible to imagine this elegant bird managing such a long migration. Their hovering posture, pictured here, is similarly graceful and beautiful.

When the temperature in interior Alaska plunges below zero, as it is doing right now, WC wonders if Arctic Terns might not have the right idea. Instead of suffering through the cold and dark (and the dark is a far bigger problem for a nature photographer), maybe migrate to some place where there is more light, liquid water and the color green?

Something to think about.

Cleaning Out the In-Box

From the miscellaneous stuff WC gets as email, comments and spam, he offers the following:

If you want really snarky name-calling, invite economists to the party. Paul Krugman does a take down on both economist William Kristol and all of his fellow travelers:

This open letter to Ben Bernanke is a remarkable document, not least for who signed it. Who knew that William Kristol was an expert on monetary policy? And who thought they’d gain credibility by adding someone who declared in 2005 that we needn’t worry about low savings, because Americans were doing fine thanks to rising home prices, then declared in 2007 that there was no reason to worry about the credit market?

A reader calling himself Hieronymus Bosch argues that the lame-duck Congress now convening will be even more crippled than usual. The G.O.P. has found that its strategy of preventing President Obama from accomplishing anything has worked well so far; they’ll intend to keep it up. Bosch asks, “At one point does putting your political party ahead of the country’s survival become treason?”

Is anyone surprised that Lisa Murkowski is dissing Sara Palin as presidential material? Is anyone surprised that Lisa is dissing Sarah? Is anyone else tired of the cat fight?

Mrs. WC got quoted in a national story on Palin’s “surreality” television show. Mrs. WC wasn’t kind. WC supposes that both WC and Mrs. WC are on The Quitter’s Enemies List now. But perhaps not as high up as Andy Borowitz, who says the whole thing is a hoax. He’s right, but not in the sense he means.

Ho, hum. Murkowski passed Miller in counted votes today. WC humbly points out he called this out on November 11. Whatever Mark Twain may have thought, statistics don’t lie. WC will, however, quote “Loyd” from an Anchorage Daily News comment:

“The race is far from over,” DeSoto said.

Either this guy is the ultimate optimist, is paid by the hour, can’t do math, is afraid to break the news to Joe, or is on something. Even my dog is drooling out of happiness for the way things are going. If she can figure it out, DeSoto should be able to get a clue.

Bristol Palin is still a contestant on something called “Dancing with the Stars.” Seriously, does anyone care? [DISCLAIMER: This link may contain nuts.]

Who is Heidi Montag and why is she sending WC emails about her wedding dress?

To all of the obscure Asian companies who want WC’s help collecting a judgment: can’t you dream up a new scam? This con is getting as old and tired as the Nigerians’.

The rest of the stuff is too vulgar for WC’s blog.