Geography Div (Where's the Bear subsection)

Somehow this goy posted earlier (?)
Anyhow, My Lady Love and I are somewhere in this picture

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

An interesting take, eh ? Hope your upcoming celebration is safe.
Rob McLaren as the One Man Bluegrass Band.

Boxing Day Div

A perennial favorite for this St Stephens Day.
Hope one and all had a nice Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS Div ( what it's really about subsection)

I first heard this while waiting for passengers at the Baltimore (BWI) airport five years ago.
There are so many writings and polemics on what "Christmas" really means, or is about; but this narrative is so uniquely American and moving, that it deserves a listen.

MERRY CHRISTMAS (from the Saturday Nite Bluegrass Division)

Old St Nick does a pretty good job (with a little help), eh ??
Hope he leaves something nice under your tree tomorrow morning (assuming you've been nice - or nicely naughty).


Dan Mazer, a.k.a. "BanjerDan" ...... 

Geography Div (what's in a name subsection)

The most nonsensical US Map you will see today: The United States If Each State Were Named For The Most Similar Foreign Country

Go Figure .............

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (more from the Happy Holidays subsection)

Ah, the kids from New Jersey.
I'm so much older, why can't I play banjo like that ??



Sleepy Man Banjo Boys: Jonny Mizzone - Banjo, Tommy Mizzone - Guitar and Robbie
Mizzone - Fiddle.

This time will be different Div (Banking/Bribery subsection)

On Monday, we looked at the biggest bank in each state.
This week, our illustrious President signed the bill to keep the government operating - and it was pretty much packed with other shit written by the banks and passed by their lackeys in that esteemed corpulent body we call a Congress.. Seems these folks (and their bought and paid for servants) want to do away with the laws that were passed as a result of their irresponsible behavior back in the days leading up to the 2008 financial collapse. Does the phrase "this time it will be different" ring any bells?

Now the Federal Reserve has given them another "gift."

A couple of years ago, Barry Ridholtz wrote an excellent article in the Washington Post proposing an excellent solution to letting these "financial wizards" use our money to line their pockets and stick us with the consequences of their failure. He imagines a directive from the Chairman of the FDIC terminating the access to FDIC coverage for any bank participating in speculative behavior.
The closing paragraph of the article pretty much sums it up:

As a bonus, without the intervention of government guarantees, those of you who continue to have depositors will finally be able to compete in a free and open market. Without FDIC insurance, your depositors will be making their decisions based on your reputation and their assessment of the safety and security of your operations — and not Uncle Sam’s willingness to continually bail you out.

Imagine that ....... they lose the privilege of using their depositor's money to line their pockets without any risk !
At least Willie Sutton was honest about his profession.

Geography Div ( Willie Sutton subsection)

Well, Willie would probably be interested, eh ?

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div (Happy Holidays subsection)

Well, 'tis the season, eh ?



The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys: Steve Lewis - Guitar, Scott Freeman - Mandolin, Josh
Scott - Bass and David Johnson - Fiddle.

Geography Div (workin' for a livin' subsection)

Interesting that a University System is the largest employer in many states, eh ?

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div ( More Coal - Flashback subsection)

It appears that the entry for 8 November was a deleted YouTube account ....... (the offending mini-bear has been disciplined).
In deference to John Prine and letting everyone enjoy the song, let's try this.



The Hamilton County Bluegrass Band - from New Zealand, "go figure"
Colleen Trenwith (fiddle, vocal)
Paul Trenwith (banjo, nashville guitar, tailpiece)
Alan Rhodes (guitar, frailing banjo, nashville guitar, autoharp, vocals)
Miles Reay (bass, vocals)
Graham Lovejoy (manodlin, vocals)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME Div (Banjo subsection)

Well heck, entering my 70th year, I owe it to myself, eh ?
Will even try to get in some practice time myself today.
...... and this blog has managed to garner 25,000 hits since it's inception. Go Figure


Justin Rothberg - Banjo