About
Update: As of 2/1/07 I am no longer at ProgressOhio. I made a very tough decision to leave given a conflict with a business that I have been involved in since 2003. You can read more details about the decision and my farewell post at my PO blog. The decision was made in order to devote more time and become more directly involved in the business and that is what I plan to do (one job - yay!). I do plan to return here and blog, though, and look forward to it. One of the Plundercrew - Jerid - has moved on to run the biggest Ohio political blog at BSB, so there are two resident members here to provoke and entertain ya’ll: Brian and Joseph. I’d like to have a more diverse set of voices, so if anyone wants to join the crew, just let me know. I would specifically like to add a strong progressive female voice since I’ve been as yet unable to talk Mrs. Plunderbund into doing it. Peace. Eric Vessels, founder and head boxing instructor.
Update: As of 9/1/06, I’m leaving the blog to go to work for Progress Ohio. I leave behind 3 capable guys and possibly more (apply within) to carry on the Plunderlegacy. I may comment, but will do so as “Eric Vessels” or “ProgressOhio”. It has been a fun time and I look forward to seeing what the real Plundercrew will do. Peace. - Eric Vessels, founder and head barstool bopper.
Plunderbund
What the hell is plunderbund? Something you do at kindergarten? The result of too much beer on Oktoberfest?…all of that really - and more!
I stumbled upon the word somehow online under a listing of obscure words. It means “political corruption“:
plunderbund - [U.S. colloq.] A corrupt alliance of
political, commercial, and financial interests engaged
in exploiting the public1914 Voice of People (New Orleans) 8 Jan. 1/1 The
whole force of the Texan plunderbund..are howling at
the heels of the dauntless army of workers.
I liked the sound of it and did a search for the domain and was surprised to see it available. The rest is history…
Plunderbund is a political blog focusing on local (Delaware), state (Ohio), and national issues - with a strong lean toward local and state. Politics can be boring at times, so there will be an ample mix of personal anecdotes, stories, rants, raves, and humor.
Eric Vessels
I grew up in Kentucky, just south of Louisville. My political leanings were learned by observing my grandparents who were jailer and matron of the Brandenburg, KY jail from 1960-1975. Mammy and Pappy were figures in the community and were never shy about voicing political views, arguing with my right leaning step-father for years - good natured always.
Pappy would always watch Meet The Press on Sundays and I would have some idea that it was on and that it was incredibly boring. Once I commented to Mammy that it was boring and that I didn’t “get” politics. She then said something that has stuck with me since: “You better get politics or politics will get you”. I’m sure at the time I blew that off like any 8 year old would. But for some reason I have never forgotten it. Her words became prophetic as in 2004 I observed a 35 year old man whom politics had “got”. That is when I made the decision to get politics.
I debated on a highly ranked two man debate team in high school, went to West Point for a year and a half where I also debated - mostly with myself over whether or not I should be there. After leaving I ended up in a career in the OEM automotive paint industry (big paint shops that paint cars), first as an expert in technical cleaning, then filtration management, and eventually as an independent consultant specializing in paint defect analysis. I am now a part owner and COO of an industry specific online news portal focusing (for now) on the commercial printing business.
I practice Zen Buddhism (and blog about it now at www.shakblog.com), my politics are progressive, I’m an Aquarius. To learn more just ask.
