AS I WAS SAYING

If you actually read my rants, you will remember that in my last blog I wrote about my seven first cousins and how we were now the family elders.  Make that six--Arlene passed away just after that was written.  She called me on each of my birthdays, on all Jewish holidays, and danced up a storm at all family events.  The six of us who remain are all men--four of whom are older than me.  This is really getting grim and I have been preoccupied with the losses over the past year and what lies ahead.  At times, I wish I had the strong religious belief of my mother--but I don't and, as I have said, this whole thing sucks.  Enough.

Ends and Odds:

--So the singer still known as Rihanna got pissed because her song got pulled off the air right after the ugly episode involving Ray Rice came out publicly.  Not pissed at him or the violence against his wife--but pissed because her song got pulled.  ME, ME, ME.  She needs a lesson in priorities.
--And Hope Solo attacks both her sister and her nephew and gets to continue playing.  There is some double standard at work but I cannot put words to it.   BTW, she is a member of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and this is not a sports item.
--Since we were bombing those ISIS madmen during Rosh Hashanah, do you think there were any Jewish pilots who said hell no, I can't go?  Just saying.
--Terrific article in last week's New Yorker by Dexter Filkins.  Along with Jon Lee Anderson, he is one of the best journalists writing in war zones.  Made me even more sure my prediction of a new country called Kurdistan will emerge. Apart from the whole mess with ISIS, Iraq is a horrid swamp.
--Suffolk Downs did not get the casino license for the Boston area which is not really a big deal except they will stop all horse racing this coming Saturday.  It is much less of a big deal since the repeal of the whole casino enabling legislation is likely to pass in November anyhow  Then, as they say, all bets are off!!
--A close relative sent me a letter written by a woman in Liberia.  Everything you have read about the Ebola epidemic is worse than what you read.  More people will die and the country simply cannot address the problem without outside help and lots of it. Not enough resources and no infrastructure.
--Meanwhile send Jeanne Shaheen money.  Good old Scottie is up there in NH not attacking her but attacking Obama and linking Obama to her.  Scottie has no freaking ideas of his own--just is an attack dog. Took advantage of Obamacare for his daughters but wants to repeal it now.  Fuck him.  Though I have to say, my boy Nate Silver is fairly confident the Republicans will take over the Senate.  Makes me cringe.
--Heard while walking around the pond:  "my poetry slam is next week".  I think I live in some sort of fantasy land.  I hope the person is a great poet but it won't matter to citizens of Liberia or Ferguson , Missouri.
--New decision about attire.  No more ties for the Crab.
--If you fast, have an easy one.

SPORTS TALK
--Last night's performance by the Pats was one for the ages--at least my ages since I have not seen them ever play so badly.  There is just a hint in my mind that Brady is really starting to look his age--and then I deny what I see. And why is Revis all of a sudden beatable?
--Glad Jeter went out on his terms not the terms of the media.  Terrible year for the team and him.
--And what about the mighty Wolverines and that stupid coach putting their QB back in when he could barely walk--just had a "mild concussion".  Nothing is mild when it involves your brain.  Brady Hoke has to
go.

Sayonara