Turkey Lurkey

There will be some sports chatter later on but I will alert all of you non-fans.

1. Not much of a coincidence or a surprise--but all of a sudden Blue Cross, Harvard Health, and other insurors are putting on ads stressing quality, stressing their care for us, and generally making me want to puke. Must have something to do with the health care bill, huh.

2. I read a great (and brief) piece by Jeffrey Toobin in the recent New Yorker's Talk of the Town section. Discussing the inclusion of an abortion ban in the healthcare legislation. Basically, he argues that the Stupak (or is it stupid) amendment guts a woman's right to choose. Now I realize the saying that the perfect is frequently the enemy of the good. But I am firmly on Coakley's side on this one (By the way, she is one of the 4 candidates to replace Ted for those of you not from down here). She said that because of that amendment, she would not vote for the bill. I think she is right though I know there are 31 million people without insurance who would disagree. Maybe some of us believe the courts will get a hold of this and support Roe v. Wade once it gets into court. But thats a wing and a prayer. I dont care if she did it for politics--she at least stood for something that may not be so popular.

3. Read a great non fiction book by a Washington Post reporter whose last name is Finkel. Spent a year with a platoon in Baghdad. So scary and these guys were so young. After reading it, I am halfway convinced that the minute we leave, the country will explode into some sort of civil war. I gotta believe the hardest decision Barack has is related to troop levels in Afghanistan. I am guessing he will approve some more and some deadline--but will get killed by people on both sides of this.

4. I am very impressed by Orzagh of the OMB--so bright, so articulate, and so soft spoken. The article in the Times about him was wonderful. I have also seen him on the Charley Rose show. Quite likable and yet not pedantic or ideological.

SPORTS COMING UPs

5. Much hand wringing in these parts about both the Celtics and the Bruins. the Bruins lost both Lucic and Savard (both leaders) for over a month and will have to re group but will be ok. The Celtics are showing their age and have not figured out how to integrate the new players but will also be ok but will likely be seeded between 1 and 3--If they end up playing a young athletic team (like the Hawks), they could have trouble.

6. Still not sure about Belichiks decision last week and am half worried the Jets are just about to tie today's game.

7. I detest Rich Rodriquez, the Michigan football coach (I actually detest most college coaches). Michigan bought out his contract at West Virginia for at least a million bucks and he has been a disaster. I also hated Lloyd Carr the previous coach but he at least seemed like a respectable human being. Rodriguez needs to have a seat on the sidelines next to Charlie Weis.

Safe driving and good eating.

Sayonara