37. Unsk

“Country Class” is the term that Angelo Codevilla uses to describe those voters who feel that no political party represents their interests. The tea party is a big part of the Country Class. Codevilla thinks that the Democratic and Republican Parties between them satisfy only one third of the electorate. The other two thirds vote for the two big parties but don’t support them. He estimates that only 25% of those who vote Republican actually support the Republican Party. I think he calls them the Country Class because they represent and support their country, America and do not support the Ruling Class.

As to Gingrich being a smart chameleon. He is very smart but changeable. His contract with America was brilliant and captured the feeling of the electorate at that time. But I don’t think he stuck with it and he let it mutate into something else as the political climate changed. When that other kind of climate change was in the ascendant he apparently made a joint statement with Nancy Pelosi supporting it. Now, climate change is used and dirty he’s not so sure. Sometimes he seems to be for capitalism, sometimes maybe not. Sometimes he supports socialist Banks (Fannie and Freddie), sometimes he doesn’t.

But he is very smart and can fight hard for his cause of the day.

35. blert

Yes, you are right about pilots. In my Province the Pacific Pilotage Authority, which oversees the coastal waters of B.C., requires that all large vessels within three kilometres of shoreline take on a pilot to help manoeuvre the vessel through the area’s extensive inside waterways and intricate passages. That rule means cruise ships require two pilots with one on the bridge at all times.

Not all jurisdictions around the world require pilots as often as we do in N. America. What are the rules in Italy?

Anyway, that’s my comment #4.