Ed Koch Has A Point...

There has been a lot of talk recently about these tax "refunds" or "bonuses" that tax payers are going to get to ultimately help jump start the economy. I've heard pros and cons and pros and cons, but today while taping "A Touch of Clash", Ed Koch came up with a very practical solution (as he is wont to do). The government is afraid that people are going to "hoard" their refunds and spend it foolishly on food and heat, but the former Mayor of New York said "Just send everyone a pre- paid credit card that they have to spend that has an expiration date." I may be paraphrasing, but I think it's a great idea. People would HAVE to spend it on toasters or groceries or an oil change or two.



Of course, there is the problem of the elderly and very poor who would rather spend it on food or medication. My friend Todd and I discussed it and came up with a plan that goes a step further - Issue checks upon request. Set up a web site or 800 number where people can easily leave their SS# or Tax ID # and have a paper check sent. My guess is that most people will opt for the credit card.



In any case, my guess is the rocket scientists in Washington will listen to neither Ed Koch nor Todd nor myself.

Cell Phone or Crazy Talk?

It seems that you can't walk two feet these days without overhearing some one's inane cell phone conversation. Working in Mid-Town Manhattan, I see many overachieving yupsters with the tell-tale wire running out of their ears - closing deals, firing underlings, telling "sweetie" not to worry, he wont' forget the eggs.

With everyone spewing carbon dioxide and banter into our overheated atmosphere, it's hard to tell who is mentally ill any more. I'm certainly not making fun of mentally ill people, but 15 or 20 years ago, the only people talking in public without specifically addressing any one were considered "crazy." Now that everyone is gabbing, and who knows who they are conversing with, it certainly muddies the communicative waters.

My solution? Cell phone "zones." It will be illegal to talk on a cell pone (wireless or not) unless you are standing in a special area, which will be marked with white or yellow lines like a truck loading zone. This zone will be tucked away from the general pedestrian traffic flow. If you feel like talking to yourself, or God, or" Zorbot", the ruler of Pluto, that will be perfectly legal. Oh, and if someone is caught talking in a "cell free zone", as a citizen, it is your right, nay, your civic duty, to report them and/or smack them in the face - as hard as you can.

My Life is Now Complete - I Have a Blog...

Ladies and Gentlemints, my life is now complete because I have a blog. I thought I was doing pretty well with my radio podcast web site and all that fun stuff, but recently a young friend perusing my web site said - "Where is the blog?" and continued "Nick, you can't have a web site without a blog!" Well, since all the kids are doing it, I guess I'm going to have to cave and start a blog -and here it is.

*The opinions expressed in this blog are my own - void in Wisconsin."

Oh, and check out my web site: www.frigginfabulousradio.com

Happy Holidays! Nick