A FEW BRIEF AND CHOICE WORDS

Barbara and I take a big silver bird tonight on our way to Istanbul. She is a fearless flyer. I am a tepid and anxious one--stomach already rumbling and now the new alerts all over Europe. Each of you should now close your eyes and give both Barbara and me kisses on both cheeks and big hugs (as in Europe) as we say fare well. SMOOCH, SMOOCH, SQUEEZE.

So Mr. Barack did the best he could and got Elizabeth Warren into a position where she will have a big role in the structure of the consumer protection agency. I guess those wonderful folks in congress would have tied her nomination up forever. Nate Silver and his voting analysis must have gotten a deal with the NY times cuz that's where you find him these days. Forget the governor's races cuz you have to be crazy to want to be a governor given the budget problems. Nate is still predicting a House run by Republicans but the gap is slightly narrower than it was. And he is predicting the Senate remains Democratic by narrow margin. He believes Boxer will win in California. What worries me is Russ Feingold is on the ropes in Wisconsin. Very scary.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT SPORTS/IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT IS

When Anna was a fanatic red flop fan in high school, I always admired her steady faith in HER team. Even in the worst of times, she was there with them. I have discovered in these last few weeks that I am not that kind of fan. The Yanks stumbled and still managed to make it into the playoffs. I jumped off their ship fast and moved onto the Pats, the Bruins, and the Celtics. My realization is that I am not just a fair weather fan but a fan of winners. Don't want to be on that boat when the losses pile up. Some of you red flop fans are like Anna. I will never be.

I don't think life will be any easier for Mr. Barack without Rahm and with a less abrasive person now in charge. I thought he was not abrasive enough and if you have been following Doonesbury, you know the theme recently has been to try and get the president to stop taking chill pills. The Republicans were bold, brassy, and gummed up things without control of the House. With control, there could be two years of stagnation. And that's just about the best scenario. I actually would love to see them try to take back health care reform now that some of the most sensible pieces have been activated.

THIS IS ABOUT SPORTS
I think Michigan will lose one of these days and I still detest their coach. But if you have not seen their qb, Dennard Robinson, whoa--he is mighty exciting. He also could get hurt very quickly since he has the ball so much of the time--he is their leading rusher in addition to being the leading passer.

I am guessing the Pats lose tonight down in Miamah. They have gotta be hoping that the defense will mature the more games they play. Otherwise it is a .500 season.

Mr. Shaughnessy wrote a good season review of the red flops and also managed to take a few swipes at Theo. Just don,t know whey he does that and what he does not like abou him. But Mr. Dan cannot quite zip it up even when he writes good pieces.

Scene in Newport where the Celtics are training: A bar on Thames street (mostly white, let's be honest). The door opens and Shaq, the other O'neal and Perk stroll in with about 10 other African American guys behind them all over 6 feet 8. Whats that like for the yachtsmen in the bar?

If I see Zdeno Chara in a European airport I will immediately attempt to reach up and shake his big hand. After all, they are in Prague this week and it is a small place!!

Yankees will surprise me if they make it to the world series. no pitching. But I will say this. Cano is the best second basemen in the game--200 hits, 100 runs , 100 rbis, 29 hrs--and less than five errors. And don't even think about telling me about Pedroia who is very good but on a different planet. In honor of Abe's approaching 100, I am rooting for SF.

That's about it. Take care of this country while we are gone and if you read the glenn beck article in this week's times, you know you need to.

Sayonara.