I don't even know where to begin. Except let's be clear there is a connection between the Penn State cover up and football. And lets also be clear that the ex-President of that fine university continues to occupy a tenured professorship in some department on that campus--so he is still around. And lets further be clear that the Paterno family is either out of touch with reality or in denial of reality or in cahoots with reality--because they continue to believe Joe Pa is not involved. Only thing is, he was more powerful than the ex-President and any other staff person and intimidated the Board and brought in tons of money. And lets be clear that at these big UNIVERSITIES (and I include Michigan in this) football programs (and basketball programs to a lesser extent) support all sorts of things including the athletic implications of Title IX. And then there are the kids--not just victims of a pedophile but victims of institutional abuse not so different than what occurred within the Catholic church. This kind of male dominated fiefdom subject to very little outside inspection and warped by some crazy sense of sexuality. In fact, lets further be clear that this is about men and what they do to children. It boggles the mind.
Have to move on to what seems much less important thoughts in no particular order.
--Mr. AG and Luce read the blog while in Italy. My first international experience. Very exciting.
--Ever have a friend for 60 years. Know what that means? Know what that feels like? Fuzzie would say it feels like the cool side of the pillow. Lilli would say it is comfy cozy--it is that and more. Seeing Charles and Myra in Newport was that "more" thingy that I have no words for.
--Was in a pizza place in Walpole last week. That is south of here but not south as in Alabama except for the photos in the place. The nickname of the teams at Walpole High are the "Rebels". Though I saw no signs of the flag, what is that about and what is it like for African American athletes at the school or on visitor teams to play when they see that shit.
--As of this moment Nate Silver still has Obama winning in November and winning some key state like Ohio and Virginia. Have to keep away from his blog since watching too frequently is not good for my mental health. But he has to be read.
--What does it mean when the pharmacist at CVS knows me by name? Kind of scary that I am on more meds than Barbara's mom who is in her 90's.
--The Mitter is being battered by this Bain business which is very flimsy but mainly relevant because he and his team seem unable to respond consistently and seem unable to make it go away.
--Ric Perry and a bunch of other bright light governors won't implement the Medicaid options in the Health Care bill not just because they think Obama may lose; but also because they are not sure everyone should have the same coverages that they have. It is pathetic.
--But as role models I present to you the Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan) and Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) show. They orchestrated a vote to repeal the Act. And surprise it passed the House and now will die. It was a fool's errand and these fools are actually infantile fools unhappy with THEIR Supreme Court. I am beginning to realize the control of the Senate is as important as Obama winning.
--And Scottie of course is one of those who has made it clear he will vote for repeal--even though he used one of the Act's first pieces to get coverage for one of his kids who had no job. Menino remains on the sideline--despicable even if he fixes potholes with expediency.
--Anderson Cooper is gay and Babs knew that just like she knew about Barney--who had his wedding a week or so ago.
--If it is about jobs, I worry.
SPORTS TALK
Andy Murray strikes me from afar as a big whiny baby--you knew he would lose to Federer. He is just not there. I am winding myself up for my every two year super patriotic USA USA chant and mentality. With all my wonderful cable channels, I will be fully occupied beginning 7/27--can hardly wait for those team handball games which I don't understand and which will be covered probably at 2 A.M. our time on one of those channels. The Youklis trade was a good one. Though for the life of me, I have no clue about Ray Allen's decision. The only conclusion I have drawn is that it was meant as a slap at the Celtics. He will be playing the same role with the Heat that he would have played here--except of course they may win the championship again.
Now about those Yankees since it is after 7/4. I really believe good pitching beats good hitting so I am not prepared to anoint them as anything here in the heat of mid July. I will say their bullpen has been terrific, Cano remains a top 3 MVP candidate, and there is no explanation for how good Jeter is hitting. I am starting to believe he could get to 4000 hits.;
That's it.
Sayonara
Monday, July 16, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
THE BEAR WAS SPOTTED OFF THE COURSE OF CHATHAM
No, no--the bear was in Brookline and the great white sharks were in the ocean off Chatham. Then the bear went to the berkshires via car and the sharks went onto--well, who knows where the sharks went. But maybe they are in the other animal story found in today's Globe--the one about stem cell use in animals. Barbara wanted to watch the news last night and the first 4 stories were about accidents involving death or injuries to adolescents. Now aren't you glad I'm back and glad that your anticipatory excitement was justified.
Had another terrific vist with the grandkids and took them along to Scranton for an overnight. They both can now play Sorry and Lilli and I have combative games of war. Took in a Bat Mitzvah during which I lifted the Torah to perfection--showing the entire congregation the 3 columns you are supposed to show. Then Tess, the future George Mason student, had a graduation party. Then home with the car spewing smoke on the Tappan Zee bridge--an adventure.
Moving on....I'm thinking that before the Supremes ruled, someone told Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan) and Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) to zip it up. I thought they were in witness protection or something since we had not heard much from them. Maybe Romney kind of nicely suggested to shut up. But whereever they were, they are "out" now that the Supremes have ruled. Let's repeal the whole law, they shout. Here's what I say--fuck you. That conservative court made a decision and we live with it just like their decision in Bush/Gore. Live with it.
Speaking of the Supremes, their decision (even if I do not fully comprehend it) is monumental. First of all, some of the law's policies are already in place. If your kid just graduated from college and has no job, he/she can stay on your insusrance--think the Republicans want to mess with that. How about pre-existing conditions? How about the fact that annual physicals have no co-pay? This screwed them up though they are far from done. It further screwed them up since it was almost totally based on the Mass. law sheparded by none other than the Mitter. He cannot wiggle enough to get out from under this despite thundering about the first day in office (after he is elected) he will "cancel" it. I almost double dare them. This decision folowed the immigration decision which gutted about 90% of the Arizona law and the decision regarding juveniles who murder and requiring states to offer them parole. Almost an enlightened trio of major decisions.
By the way, Nate Silver on his blog has started projecting the November presidential race. Much to my surprise, he has Obama winning. Now this could fall in the category of no good deed goes unpunished or be careful what you wish for or some such aphorism; but this is much rosier than I would have thought. The states include all 3 of those in the upper mid west--Minn., Wisc., and Mich.
Speaking of rosy (not), someone needs to tell me why Menino has not endorsed Elizbeth Warren (on the other hand if I get one more email or phone call from her campaign I might scream). All I have come up with is that she is not part of the old boys network or she has never "done" anything for him (since she of course has never been in office) but keeping his big fat yap shut is just plain miserable. I mean Scottie is still against Obamacare. This depsite the fact that one of his college graduate daughters used the benefit I mentioned earlier.
I worry that the Syrian situation will force Obama's hand into doing "something". It is getting very ugly over there and Assad is showing no willingness to back off. It is getting harder for me to understand why Libya and not Syria. If that "something" happens, it better be as part of some UN or Arab League sponsored effort. I read that we already have CIA teams in the country assisting the insurgents.
It is entirely not good for the environment but I do love having central a/c. Oh my--in my prehistoric youth, I was packed off most summers with a bathing suit, glove, bat and lunch on my bike to Shenendoah Park. There to spend the whole day with Charles, Gary, and David. I cannot remember if we were bothered by the heat or not. I do know that after 40 years up North, I hate it. I did lose regularly to Charles on rainy days when we played ping pong indoors--he was convinced that the game itself was a political one being how the russians and the chinese dominated it. I was not that bright.
So in an effort to return some dollars to the Medicaid budget (dollars cut a few years ago when things were worse), our enlightened legislators will now allow recipients to have their front teeth fixed because it will be better for them when they interview. No back teeth work god forbid.
SPORTS TALK
So, in the very first round of the Euro Cup, I watched two games with teams whose names were viirtually unprounanceable because they had almost no vowels--Poland, Greece, Russia, and the Czech Republic. All also got elimnated quite early. Spain just won the thing--they are referred to as the "tika taka" team because---if 6 of them were in a phone booth, they could still pass the ball to each other like tic tac toe. I mean you have to see them do this even if some of the soccer is so boring and some of the players just dive all over the fucking place. They won it with out my favorite Spaniard David Villa. Furthermore, how can someone with the last name of Ibrahmovic be Swedish? On the other hand a lot of Europeans are fairly angry about the immigrants in their countries. Yet when you look at the diversity of some European teams, you know they have no problem with them on their national sooccer teams. Germany has players with Kurdish roots, Hispanic roots, and one with Turkish roots on its team. Anyone notice Mr. Baloltelli from Italy as an example? And why does America produce world class goalies but no one who can put the ball in the net?
I hate Lebron but he basically bullied his way and his teams to that win over the Celtics. But KG is coming back and that is both good and imortant. The loss of Tim Thomas and his Tea party politics is no loss--let him sit.
Youk Youk--my favorite Greek Jewish third basemen. Gone along with his crazy batting stance. I hate the red flops but this was a good move. Now it is almost 7/4 but not quite so I cannot get into a lengthy analysis of beisbol (as they say in Cuba)--but Cano is so far ahead of any second baseman in the game that it is scary.
Thats it.
Sayonara
Had another terrific vist with the grandkids and took them along to Scranton for an overnight. They both can now play Sorry and Lilli and I have combative games of war. Took in a Bat Mitzvah during which I lifted the Torah to perfection--showing the entire congregation the 3 columns you are supposed to show. Then Tess, the future George Mason student, had a graduation party. Then home with the car spewing smoke on the Tappan Zee bridge--an adventure.
Moving on....I'm thinking that before the Supremes ruled, someone told Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan) and Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) to zip it up. I thought they were in witness protection or something since we had not heard much from them. Maybe Romney kind of nicely suggested to shut up. But whereever they were, they are "out" now that the Supremes have ruled. Let's repeal the whole law, they shout. Here's what I say--fuck you. That conservative court made a decision and we live with it just like their decision in Bush/Gore. Live with it.
Speaking of the Supremes, their decision (even if I do not fully comprehend it) is monumental. First of all, some of the law's policies are already in place. If your kid just graduated from college and has no job, he/she can stay on your insusrance--think the Republicans want to mess with that. How about pre-existing conditions? How about the fact that annual physicals have no co-pay? This screwed them up though they are far from done. It further screwed them up since it was almost totally based on the Mass. law sheparded by none other than the Mitter. He cannot wiggle enough to get out from under this despite thundering about the first day in office (after he is elected) he will "cancel" it. I almost double dare them. This decision folowed the immigration decision which gutted about 90% of the Arizona law and the decision regarding juveniles who murder and requiring states to offer them parole. Almost an enlightened trio of major decisions.
By the way, Nate Silver on his blog has started projecting the November presidential race. Much to my surprise, he has Obama winning. Now this could fall in the category of no good deed goes unpunished or be careful what you wish for or some such aphorism; but this is much rosier than I would have thought. The states include all 3 of those in the upper mid west--Minn., Wisc., and Mich.
Speaking of rosy (not), someone needs to tell me why Menino has not endorsed Elizbeth Warren (on the other hand if I get one more email or phone call from her campaign I might scream). All I have come up with is that she is not part of the old boys network or she has never "done" anything for him (since she of course has never been in office) but keeping his big fat yap shut is just plain miserable. I mean Scottie is still against Obamacare. This depsite the fact that one of his college graduate daughters used the benefit I mentioned earlier.
I worry that the Syrian situation will force Obama's hand into doing "something". It is getting very ugly over there and Assad is showing no willingness to back off. It is getting harder for me to understand why Libya and not Syria. If that "something" happens, it better be as part of some UN or Arab League sponsored effort. I read that we already have CIA teams in the country assisting the insurgents.
It is entirely not good for the environment but I do love having central a/c. Oh my--in my prehistoric youth, I was packed off most summers with a bathing suit, glove, bat and lunch on my bike to Shenendoah Park. There to spend the whole day with Charles, Gary, and David. I cannot remember if we were bothered by the heat or not. I do know that after 40 years up North, I hate it. I did lose regularly to Charles on rainy days when we played ping pong indoors--he was convinced that the game itself was a political one being how the russians and the chinese dominated it. I was not that bright.
So in an effort to return some dollars to the Medicaid budget (dollars cut a few years ago when things were worse), our enlightened legislators will now allow recipients to have their front teeth fixed because it will be better for them when they interview. No back teeth work god forbid.
SPORTS TALK
So, in the very first round of the Euro Cup, I watched two games with teams whose names were viirtually unprounanceable because they had almost no vowels--Poland, Greece, Russia, and the Czech Republic. All also got elimnated quite early. Spain just won the thing--they are referred to as the "tika taka" team because---if 6 of them were in a phone booth, they could still pass the ball to each other like tic tac toe. I mean you have to see them do this even if some of the soccer is so boring and some of the players just dive all over the fucking place. They won it with out my favorite Spaniard David Villa. Furthermore, how can someone with the last name of Ibrahmovic be Swedish? On the other hand a lot of Europeans are fairly angry about the immigrants in their countries. Yet when you look at the diversity of some European teams, you know they have no problem with them on their national sooccer teams. Germany has players with Kurdish roots, Hispanic roots, and one with Turkish roots on its team. Anyone notice Mr. Baloltelli from Italy as an example? And why does America produce world class goalies but no one who can put the ball in the net?
I hate Lebron but he basically bullied his way and his teams to that win over the Celtics. But KG is coming back and that is both good and imortant. The loss of Tim Thomas and his Tea party politics is no loss--let him sit.
Youk Youk--my favorite Greek Jewish third basemen. Gone along with his crazy batting stance. I hate the red flops but this was a good move. Now it is almost 7/4 but not quite so I cannot get into a lengthy analysis of beisbol (as they say in Cuba)--but Cano is so far ahead of any second baseman in the game that it is scary.
Thats it.
Sayonara
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