Matt
@matthoboken.bsky.social
Classical guitarist, democratic socialist, Deep State economist.
That--and on a related theme, Black Robe. Beautiful and shattering. After 30 years, I can't make myself see it again.
February 8, 2026 at 4:39 AM
That--and on a related theme, Black Robe. Beautiful and shattering. After 30 years, I can't make myself see it again.
Marx's argument is irrefutable: "Potatoes in a sack form a sack of potatoes."
January 17, 2026 at 4:28 AM
Marx's argument is irrefutable: "Potatoes in a sack form a sack of potatoes."
I used to Watch Him on Laugh-In back in the late 1960s.
January 16, 2026 at 6:22 PM
I used to Watch Him on Laugh-In back in the late 1960s.
Doug Zonker should have cited one of his earlier papers on the topic.
January 4, 2026 at 4:56 AM
Doug Zonker should have cited one of his earlier papers on the topic.
From more than 50 years ago: The Peter Principle.
December 22, 2025 at 2:00 AM
From more than 50 years ago: The Peter Principle.
I assume you're referring to the Land Orcas. I also live in fear.
December 8, 2025 at 2:46 AM
I assume you're referring to the Land Orcas. I also live in fear.
Yes, it varies slightly by prefecture. I quoted the upper end.
November 23, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Yes, it varies slightly by prefecture. I quoted the upper end.
This is way off. Japan’s minimum wage is less $7.50/hr in dollar terms. I promise you that you can't live on $82.50 a week in Japan. The minimum wage in Portugal is about 5.4 euro/hr, or $193 for a 31 hr week. Since it's cheaper there, this translates to maybe $300/week--still a poverty wage.
November 22, 2025 at 9:57 PM
This is way off. Japan’s minimum wage is less $7.50/hr in dollar terms. I promise you that you can't live on $82.50 a week in Japan. The minimum wage in Portugal is about 5.4 euro/hr, or $193 for a 31 hr week. Since it's cheaper there, this translates to maybe $300/week--still a poverty wage.
With five year's service, she'll be in for a pension of maybe $15,000 a year. Basically, federal pensions are 1.7% of income for each year served. The Congressional salary is a little shy of $180,000. So: .017 x 5 x 180,000 = $15,300.
November 22, 2025 at 3:29 AM
With five year's service, she'll be in for a pension of maybe $15,000 a year. Basically, federal pensions are 1.7% of income for each year served. The Congressional salary is a little shy of $180,000. So: .017 x 5 x 180,000 = $15,300.
The House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, would have awarded Florida's electoral votes to Bush come what may. (Yes: The House could have and would have done that.) Katherine Harris and the Supreme Court acted corruptly, but didn't change the result.
November 17, 2025 at 1:42 AM
The House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, would have awarded Florida's electoral votes to Bush come what may. (Yes: The House could have and would have done that.) Katherine Harris and the Supreme Court acted corruptly, but didn't change the result.
Terry's list is good. I'd add:
Willie Dixon
Elizabeth Cotten
Duane Allman
John Hurt
Willie Dixon
Elizabeth Cotten
Duane Allman
John Hurt
October 8, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Terry's list is good. I'd add:
Willie Dixon
Elizabeth Cotten
Duane Allman
John Hurt
Willie Dixon
Elizabeth Cotten
Duane Allman
John Hurt
A penny saved is a gifthorse earned.
Never count your chickens before a gifthorse.
A stitch in time saves a gifthorse.
A fool and his gifthorse are soon parted.
I could go on...
Never count your chickens before a gifthorse.
A stitch in time saves a gifthorse.
A fool and his gifthorse are soon parted.
I could go on...
September 19, 2025 at 10:01 PM
A penny saved is a gifthorse earned.
Never count your chickens before a gifthorse.
A stitch in time saves a gifthorse.
A fool and his gifthorse are soon parted.
I could go on...
Never count your chickens before a gifthorse.
A stitch in time saves a gifthorse.
A fool and his gifthorse are soon parted.
I could go on...
To Have and to Have Somewhat Less.
The Old Man and the Pond.
Realistic Expectations.
Portnoy's Kvetch.
Rabbit is Financially Secure.
The Middling Ambersons.
The Second-to-Last of the Mohicans.
Madmaisolle Bovery.
Petty Crime and Municipal Summons.
Sizeable Dick.
Finite Jest.
The Old Man and the Pond.
Realistic Expectations.
Portnoy's Kvetch.
Rabbit is Financially Secure.
The Middling Ambersons.
The Second-to-Last of the Mohicans.
Madmaisolle Bovery.
Petty Crime and Municipal Summons.
Sizeable Dick.
Finite Jest.
September 8, 2025 at 4:16 AM
To Have and to Have Somewhat Less.
The Old Man and the Pond.
Realistic Expectations.
Portnoy's Kvetch.
Rabbit is Financially Secure.
The Middling Ambersons.
The Second-to-Last of the Mohicans.
Madmaisolle Bovery.
Petty Crime and Municipal Summons.
Sizeable Dick.
Finite Jest.
The Old Man and the Pond.
Realistic Expectations.
Portnoy's Kvetch.
Rabbit is Financially Secure.
The Middling Ambersons.
The Second-to-Last of the Mohicans.
Madmaisolle Bovery.
Petty Crime and Municipal Summons.
Sizeable Dick.
Finite Jest.
Gary Movie.
Hope and Gary.
Regarding Gary.
We've Got to Talk About Gary.
Hope and Gary.
Regarding Gary.
We've Got to Talk About Gary.
September 2, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Gary Movie.
Hope and Gary.
Regarding Gary.
We've Got to Talk About Gary.
Hope and Gary.
Regarding Gary.
We've Got to Talk About Gary.
A grand jury, famously, will indict a ham sandwhich. But not someone for throwing a ham sandwich.
August 15, 2025 at 1:19 AM
A grand jury, famously, will indict a ham sandwhich. But not someone for throwing a ham sandwich.
The Jackson Four
Air Kiss
Light Purple
Beige Sabbath
Short Trip (Journey)
They Might be Midgets
Alice in Restraints
Indianappolis (Chicago)
The Indifferent Dead
Boyz II Boyz
Buddy Holly and the Larvae
Yes, But
Air Kiss
Light Purple
Beige Sabbath
Short Trip (Journey)
They Might be Midgets
Alice in Restraints
Indianappolis (Chicago)
The Indifferent Dead
Boyz II Boyz
Buddy Holly and the Larvae
Yes, But
August 13, 2025 at 3:26 AM
The Jackson Four
Air Kiss
Light Purple
Beige Sabbath
Short Trip (Journey)
They Might be Midgets
Alice in Restraints
Indianappolis (Chicago)
The Indifferent Dead
Boyz II Boyz
Buddy Holly and the Larvae
Yes, But
Air Kiss
Light Purple
Beige Sabbath
Short Trip (Journey)
They Might be Midgets
Alice in Restraints
Indianappolis (Chicago)
The Indifferent Dead
Boyz II Boyz
Buddy Holly and the Larvae
Yes, But
Well, lightbulbs do often have bright ideas.
August 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Well, lightbulbs do often have bright ideas.
33. But I had a head start on many of you.
Also: Airports and just driving through don't count! Otherwise, I'd have four more.
Also: Airports and just driving through don't count! Otherwise, I'd have four more.
July 31, 2025 at 1:38 AM
33. But I had a head start on many of you.
Also: Airports and just driving through don't count! Otherwise, I'd have four more.
Also: Airports and just driving through don't count! Otherwise, I'd have four more.
Simkin tells many stories about his year and a half living free in the Great Outside. Moppet wonders whether to believe him.
July 29, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Simkin tells many stories about his year and a half living free in the Great Outside. Moppet wonders whether to believe him.
I was disappointed to learn that this song is not in fact a Weimer-era creation. But I'm going to make a point of seeing the Palast Orchester the next time I'm in Germany.
July 21, 2025 at 3:12 AM
I was disappointed to learn that this song is not in fact a Weimer-era creation. But I'm going to make a point of seeing the Palast Orchester the next time I'm in Germany.