The Writer's Life 7/1 - Feuds

Just when it seemed the Supreme Court’s decisions would be entirely leftist for the foreseeable future, it has ruled against the Environmental Protection Agency, 5-4, in a suit brought by the state of Michigan. It ruled the EPA, in its zeal to shut down coal plants, failed to take into account whether costs outweighed benefits. In an op-ed piece on the outcome in today’s NY Post, Betsy McCaughey cites that 29% of household spending is attributable to regulation. For instance, it adds $44 to the cost of a dishwater, $83 to a fridge, $1357 to a car. She does not claim all regulation is unjustified. She merely believes it is out of control. Coal and other fossil fuels have been a boon to mankind. Environmentalists want to eliminate them without cost-effective alternatives to pick up the slack their absence would cause. This despite the fact that they burn much cleaner than it has in the past.

Last night CBS premiered Zoo, based on the novel by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. The story is simple: animals attack. I enjoyed the first episode, although I’m always wary that the cause of the aberrant behavior will be ascribed to Hollywood’s typical villains, big business, the military. I think the mystery would best be left unexplained. 13 episodes are scheduled. I hope the network sticks to that. The same had been planned for Stephen King’s Under the Dome, which proved so popular it is now in its third season. According to IMDb, James Patterson has written three of the episodes himself. I wonder how many viewers will be rooting for the animals to prevail.

The feud between NY Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has to be one of the more absurd in local political history. Both are dyed in the wool liberals, know-it-all bullies, who would be unlikely to win an election anywhere else, even other leftist enclaves, where the competition would be stiffer.

The floating book shop got off to a great start to start the second half of the year. My thanks to David, who trades from his home, who bought Exchanges. Thanks also to the other kind folks who bought books in English and Russian, especially the gentleman who took two large tomes: Chinese Natural Cures and Staying Young and Healthy for Dummies. 

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/