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The Amazing FETA!

By Chris Carosa on April 7, 2011

[This Commentary originally appeared in the April 5, 1990 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

From our nation’s capital we hear many discouraging words on the American economy. A plethora of ideas have sprouted from the mouths of elected officials. Some have been good, some have been bad. All have been aimed more at solving personal political problems than at curing any one economic ill.

All parties clearly point to the nation’s low savings rate as one of the primary causes of our weakened economy. They suggest if individuals would save more and consume less, more money could be used to Continue Reading “The Amazing FETA!”

Posted in The Compleat Carosa Commentaries Tagged 529 plan, economy, education, politics

What is the County Legislature?

By Chris Carosa on March 31, 2011

[This Commentary originally appeared in the March 29, 1990 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

Every so often we hear reports on the evening news about the County Legislature or the County Executive doing this or that. Most of us just continue eating our dinner and wait for the sports. On the other hand, we listen intently to the network news whenever the anchor discusses matters from Washington D.C.

Why is it that we show less concern with the legislative body which has a more immediate impact on our everyday lives? Continue Reading “What is the County Legislature?”

Posted in The Compleat Carosa Commentaries Tagged government, Monroe County, politics

Banzai!

By Chris Carosa on March 24, 2011

[This Commentary originally intended to appear in the March 22, 1990 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

“Banzai!” shouted Joey as he thrust headfirst straight down the side of the mountain.

“Banzai!” yelled Ricky shooting through the narrow gap of eerie outcroppings of ragged rock before gliding into a white abyss of sheer ice. His monoski barely touched the gritty granular snow which provided the only hope for braking his fall.

“Banzai!” echoed Ken, a tequila primed fireplug of non-stop energy and exuberance, following his comrades off the 11,000 foot peak at nearly ninety miles an hour.Continue Reading “Banzai!”

Posted in The Compleat Carosa Commentaries Tagged entrepreneur, Growing Up, inspiration, Mendon, Sentinel

More Lasting Than Bronze

By Chris Carosa on March 22, 2011

Exegi monumentum aere perennius.

Horace begins a sarcastic ode on his own immortality with the above phrase, which translates to “I have erected a monument more lasting than bronze.” Ironically, in our continuing study of this poem, Horace has, indeed, achieved a form of immortality, one invulnerable to the physical ravages of time.

Last week I wrote a fanciful speech I never intended to deliver (“Et tu, Espagnol?”). This week, however, fate guided me to the School Board meeting where, with no preparation I delivered the following remarks (perhaps slightly embellished for the purposes of this page):

“I am reminded of a time some twenty or so years ago when a different Continue Reading “More Lasting Than Bronze”

Posted in Gray Matter Musings, Memoir of a Real Life Tagged HFL, Honeoye Falls, Latin, Lima, Mendon, orchestra, string

The Impact of FTAs in a Multi-polar World

By Chris Carosa on March 17, 2011

[This Commentary originally appeared in the March 15, 1990 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

Sometimes sovereign nations and little children behave in the same way. Both can act selfish and territorial. Both can ignore the long term consequences of their short term orientation. Each can view the world egocentrically, seeking always to win and never to share.

Despite these attributes, we generally tolerate children. After all, they quickly grow up into adults. Countries, on the other hand, take a lot longer to sprout a mature bearing.

We may offer the argument that nations, no matter how old, will always acquit themselves like children. They do, of course, have the obligation to protect their Continue Reading “The Impact of FTAs in a Multi-polar World”

Posted in The Compleat Carosa Commentaries Tagged economics, foreign policy, GATT

Et tu, Espagnol?

By Chris Carosa on March 15, 2011

Students, teachers, administrators, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Latin, not to praise it.Continue Reading “Et tu, Espagnol?”

Posted in Gray Matter Musings Tagged humor, Latin, satire

Creative Chaos

By Chris Carosa on March 10, 2011

[This Commentary originally appeared in the March 8, 1990 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

There used to be a car repair commercial about the Second Law of Thermodynamics: The Law of Entropy. Here’s something you might not know: Entropy actually lists as the third law of thermodynamics. For a while, physicists viewed entropy as the second most important idea in thermodynamics. Then, they discovered what they now consider the utmost concept in the field. Unfortunately, by the time of the discovery, everyone used the Second Law of Thermodynamics and the Law of Entropy interchangeably. The scientists could not very well shift everything down one. It would cause too much confusion.

Physicists, however, can often act as astute problem solvers. Since the nomenclature had already included the terms First and Second, they needed to invent a higher order Continue Reading “Creative Chaos”

Posted in The Compleat Carosa Commentaries Tagged creativity, innovation, inspiration, philosophy, Physics

The Roaring Eighties – R.I.P.

By Chris Carosa on March 3, 2011

[This Commentary originally appeared in the March 1, 1990 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

Like its predecessor the Roaring Twenties, the decade past seemed filled with excess. The eighties saw gargantuan gluttonous wrought forth upon a foundation of financial speculation and naïve hopes. But, enough has already been said about the sins of the last ten years.

Indeed, we come not to praise the eighties, but to bury them. While the calendar says we entered the nineties two full months ago, the end of February really Continue Reading “The Roaring Eighties – R.I.P.”

Posted in The Compleat Carosa Commentaries Tagged economics, Malcolm Forbes, philosophy

The Apolitical Blues

By Chris Carosa on February 24, 2011

(Apologies to Little Feat)

[This Commentary originally appeared in the February 22, 1990 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

“Politics must be avoided. Politics leads to trouble. Politics remains the domain of the greedy deceivers who can’t make it in the private sector. Politics should be shunned by all proper people.”

So go the thoughts of the typical citizen towards the professional which includes our government leaders. Where does this conviction originate? Why do most people view the political world with such disdain and mistrust? Why do honorable persons circumvent a discussion at the first Continue Reading “The Apolitical Blues”

Posted in The Compleat Carosa Commentaries Tagged philosophy, politics

Mid-Winter Blahs

By Chris Carosa on February 17, 2011

[This Commentary originally appeared in the February 15, 1990 issue of The Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel.]

As we approach mid-February we enter the depths of winter. All in all winter is a fine season. The pleasant snow covers everything. Yes, it’s a pain in the neck when it comes to driving, but it’s especially beautiful when it outlines the branches of all the trees.

The variety of the seasons enlivens us. Even constant sunshine and warm weather can oppress. The quarterly changes allow us to regularly anticipate and experience beginnings and endings. This cycle brings emotional health.

Yet, for all the good things, we must endure one great burden: the mid-Winter Blahs. I’m not quite sure if psychologists have coined a catchy term for this mental morass. I don’t read a lot of those hip psycho-analytic magazines. (Although I admit once some Continue Reading “Mid-Winter Blahs”

Posted in The Compleat Carosa Commentaries Tagged humor

Chris Carosa