I FIRED MY EDITOR

Since that would be me, I am mortified that my editorial side neglected to acknowledge the death of Nelson Mandela.  I really have no words which adequately capture the grace of the man--though it is enough to be clear that apartheid is no longer in place in South Africa.  There are tons of other issues but that is gone in large measure due to him and in some measure (a small measure) due to deKlerk.

Condolences to Steve's family and John's family.  I hope the memories of these two men and the strength of your families will give you the support you need in the coming weeks and months.  Over and above the death of those close to us, this forces us to confront our own mortality.  Since Yvette's passing, I have been preoccupied by just that--death and dying and wondering how to maximize whatever time I have.  It is not an easy feeling to struggle with. I do believe that no matter what religion we are part of, the structure of our funerals and their aftermath makes it "easier" for us to grieve.

Moving on to better and brighter (hopefully).
--Partners got told no--it could not acquire South Shore Hospital.  Good--and then they decided to move some jobs to Somerville.  Good for Somerville but what message does it send when the alternative the City of Boston offered was in Roxbury and Partners passed so they could locate in a mall.  They deserve to be kicked to the curb.
--Aleppo is being flattened and this time I am on the side of getting more involved--at least with more weapons and more advisers. In a month, I am not sure what I will think. What Assad is doing to his own people (well he probably does not consider you a person if you are not an Alawite) is nothing short of murder.  And the refugees--come on.
--Two terrific New Yorker articles.  One about the whole issue of the NSA spying on Americans.  Ron Wyden, an Oregon Senator, really has a lot to say (most of very unpleasant) about what we don't know.   The second article is about Pope Frankie written by James Carrol--himself a former priest and now an editorial writer in the Globe.  This guy should scare the bejeezus (!) out of Conservative Catholics.  I only hope he is around for a while considering he is in his mid 70's.
--In the space of a week, we learned:  that a child in Central Mass. had been missing since the fall and no one did anything; that a teacher at the prestigious and private Park School may have been molesting students; and that an aide in the Brookline schools may have also been molesting students.  There is no end to the lack of respect we as a society have for our children. It never ends and it makes me want to puke.,  In the first situation, DCF was involved but their Social Worker apparently lied about making home visits and her lies were covered up by superiors.  That job is a thankless one made all the worse by the union jumping up and blaming caseloads.  Lies are different that caseloads. It was said the kid was in Florida--at the racetrack?
--Richard Deitsch of SI gave out some journalism awards.  I did not read them all but some were terrific articles.
--Suffolk Downs and the plans for a casino there are on life support.  The one in Springfield might actually happen and force some of us to go visit the Pioneer Valley.
--Good luck Thursday, Norma.
--A happy and healthy New Year to all of you.

SPORTS TALK
--As I write this, Kessel has 17 goals, Seguin has 19 goals, and Thornton has 35 assists (first in the league).  None of them "fit" the Bruins philosophy.  Yeah I know we got some bodies in exchange and we won a Cup but don't you think we need a scorer?
--Michigan should not be allowed to play in a bowl game ever again.  They simply sucked this year and in general screw up in the bowl games.  In spite of his spaceman sunglasses, I am not sure about Hoke.
--The Pats, bless their souls, get a bye by playing the most rookies in the league and discovering a running game.  McCourty has to come back and it would be terrific if whoever plays Denver put a sock in Peytons mouth.

Sayonara--loved seeing you, Anna