6-26-11 Hodgepodge

Sunday, June 26, 2011

The King is Dead

In the words of the first item in a top ten list of child care precepts I read recently, "Routine is king!" (This may have been in all caps.) In that sense, having a bundle of joy around is regicide -- although the powerful and benevolent feeling of holding your own child is definitely more than worth it.

Mrs. Van Horn and I are on her schedule now, and have to fit our other obligations in accordingly. This is a process of both learning what our baby needs from us and thinking carefully about our priorities. I think that posting here will be somewhat irregular or less frequent for some time as we adjust to our daughter being a part of our lives. Thanks for your patience.

Weekend Reading

"When it comes to genuine, pro-capitalist job-creation, Obama is a saboteur, in the original meaning of the word." -- Richard Salsman, in "Obama the Luddite: Friend to Labor Unions, Enemy of Job Creators" at Forbes

"It's almost as if Washington envisions the economy not as a complex network of billions of voluntary, mutually beneficial relationships, but as a lawn mower which could be forced to run smoothly if only they'd yank hard enough on the starter cord." -- Jonathan Hoenig, in "The One Stimulus Government Hasn't Tried " at SmartMoney

"I'd like to add the name of Cesar Millan, National Geographic Channel’s 'Dog Whisperer,' to the ranks of the mental health establishment." -- Michael Hurd, in "Be a 'Child Whisperer'" at DrHurd.com

My Two Cents

If it were truly possible to summarize the problems with our economy in a one-liner, the title of Hoenig's column is that one-liner. Salsman marshals lots of historical data many people have never heard of in support of the same general point, that government economic interventions are endangering our way of life.

A Spot of Good News

I see that Hugo Chavez is seriously ill, and has been hospitalized in Cuba for weeks now.

Chávez [sic] silence has led to chatter and speculation in Venezuela that the socialist leader is actually suffering from prostate cancer. Intelligence officials could not confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer but Chávez family did go to Cuba in the last 72 hours, according to wire service EFE.
I understand from another report that none of the dictator's possible successors is especially popular. Chavez's demise might thus represent a good opportunity for his political opponents in Venezuela. Furthermore, as dependent as the Cuban regime is on shipments of looted oil from Venezuela, this is potentially good news for Cuba as well.

-- CAV

5 comments:

Jim said...

Congrats on baby. Warning, time passes too fast; it will be really important for yourself that you enjoy the now while she grows up so fast. In the long term, all the times that you are playing Barbies, having a tea party, reading her books, and her putting ribbons and barrettes in you hair in spite of your protests will be things that you miss.

Jenn Casey said...

Regicide...love it. :D Glad everyone is healthy and recovering well. As a veteran of three c-sections, I know well how your wife must be feeling! Wishing you all lots of rest and recovery while you adjust to the demands of being subjects of your new regent.

Gus Van Horn said...

Thanks!

Lots of people say that the time goes too fast, and I think I already am beginning to know what they mean. I recall people saying, "I wish they could be that small forever." Of course, they can't, and watching them grow/helping them develop are also part of the pleasure of being a parent that I can look forward to.

And yes, she is our regent!

kelleyn said...

Welcome back, Gus, and congratulations! I can't offer any experience on being a parent, but I can on being a little girl. When I was about five, there was nothing I loved more than the sound of my own voice. Consider yourself warned. :)

Seriously, the thing I loved most--besides my mom, whose presence I took for granted--was my daddy. His attention and guidance meant the world to me. I'm glad that little miss Van Horn has a good one.

Gus Van Horn said...

Thanks for the warning, as well as the vote of confidence!