Barney November 29, 2011March 26, 2017 BARNEY I like the way DNC Chair Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz put it: “This is a man of incredible intellect. A powerhouse who has championed the rights of consumers in the financial services community. I really have a heavy heart today. I’m going to miss him terribly.” And I like what the President said: “This country has never had a Congressman like Barney Frank, and the House of Representatives will not be the same without him. For over 30 years, Barney has been a fierce advocate for the people of Massachusetts and Americans everywhere who needed a voice. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of families and businesses and helped make housing more affordable. He has stood up for the rights of LGBT Americans and fought to end discrimination against them. And it is only thanks to his leadership that we were able to pass the most sweeping financial reform in history designed to protect consumers and prevent the kind of excessive risk-taking that led to the financial crisis from ever happening again. Barney’s passion and his quick wit will be missed in the halls of Congress, and Michelle and I join the people of the Bay State in thanking him for his years of service.” I’ve been dazzled by Barney since before Touch Tone phones. He was one of four resident “tutors” in my college dorm, so I knew him before he ever ran for office (how could he ever run for office, we wondered, perhaps inspiring his first campaign poster: “Neatness Isn’t Everything”). I burst with pride-by-association at what he has accomplished. If you have time, watch him explain his decision and (among other interesting things) confront the misinformed “housing crisis” criticisms opponents have made. SIGA Jim Leff is the guy who got me interested in the first place; read his take on the current situation – it’s not a boring tale. (It’s still a rank speculation, but I bought more yesterday around $2.) SOLAR BACKPACK A friend who volunteered in Haiti turned me on to this top-of-the-line solar-paneled backpack. Keeps all your devices powered even when you’re off grid. Do I hear reindeer hooves?