That's a piece of the Michigan fight song. And you are mistaken if you believe this first paragraph is about sports. It is about priorities. Jim Harbaugh was a quarterback at Michigan in the mid 80's. Ultimately, he became both a college coach (Stanford) and a pro coach (San Francisco). Today, he is the new Michigan football coach at, get this, a salary of $5 million per year. That's likely more than the President of the University. Now you know Michigan is a public university which means that their budget reflects your tax dollars at work. Michigan is just one of a multitude of public universities which pay their football coaches ugly amounts of money. Michigan, it turns out, has the biggest on campus football stadium in America. It seats 110,000 and is nicknamed the "Big House". It has either 6 or 7 home games a year and tickets are in the $40-$50 range. Every game is a sell out so you do the math. The football program, to be fair, is the fuel (along to a lesser extent with the men's basketball program) which allows the lesser sports (including those Title IX programs which have so helped women's athletics) survive and thrive. Without that football revenue, no women's basketball--as an example. In the scope of human endeavors, Michigan football is a pimple on the affairs of the world. So what are the priorities and what should they be and what if they changed and in the end should I care? I will close by saying I know folks who teach in higher ed and I am guessing they do not make 5$ million a year. Point made.
Items:
--As I dropped Anna off at the airport this morning, I thought of the most recent airplane disappearance and cannot imagine what the families of those lost must be experiencing. Glad Jess and her family have returned safely.
--Please explain how the North Face company got the rights to "This Land is Your Land" and are now using it in TV ads? Is Arlo hard up for money?
--There will be a country called Kurdistan in the future--as predicted here first. The combination of their fighting skills on the ground and the coalition bombing is forcing those ISIS lunatics into a retreat. The Turks might not like it but it will happen.
--But we still have the Taliban attempting to take people back into medieval times. I suppose killing over 100 school age children is seen by them as a positive step in their progress towards this goal. I am getting very feisty about this.
--A great Hanukkah for Alan Gross and, truthfully, for a lot of us hoping for normalization with Cuba. In a recent post I wished for this after the Republicans won the mid terms. Obama might as well go for it--he is even reducing the population at Guantanamo. The third generation of Cubans in South Florida support this--the Cuban folks my age are the ones opposing it and, truth be told, they are on the decline due to, ahem, age. Ted Cruz and Lindsay Graham may make life difficult for the Prez as he moves ahead with this effort--but after their initial outrageous outrage, they seem to have faded away to their little hidey holes. Please note that Cruz's family came here before Castro took over so he escaped nothing.
--Loved it that Obama slammed Sony for backing off of the release of Seth Rogen's movie. A stupid movie to be sure but really, the North Koreans have that much influence? Give me a break.
--Great yet distressing article in a recent NY Times magazine about the political situation in Israel. Fingers and other digits crossed that in the upcoming election, Netanyahu is kicked to the curb but I am not optimistic.
--I am a reader of obituaries. I admit it. I also admit being alarmed at the number of folks who pass away and are my age or younger--kind of freaky.
--If you read no further, last year was a sad and painful one for many of us who lost loved ones. Plus, much of the world continues to be out of control. I hope the coming year is a happy, healthy, and peaceful one for you and your families.
SPORTS TALK
--I never liked Rondo--too much of a drama king. Brilliant at times; but I am wondering if Danny told Brad before he was hired that Rondo would be gone. Now, we can argue about whether the Celtics got enough but good riddance.
--No surprises given all the Pats who were inactive last week--they lost. But I admit I am a bit uneasy.
--Rask is not playing out of this world--which given how few goals his teammates put in the net is a big problem. BTW, I continue to believe Lucic is on drugs.
Sayonara.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
"OH RICHARD, IT'S TIME TO COME IN AND RIP THE WHISKERS OFF THE CATS"
That's more or less a direct quote from Dick Cheney's mom. He had been playing out in the yard during a hot summer day in Wyoming. It was now time for him to come in and torture his cats. He practiced a lot so that when he got to the White House, he would know what torture was. I was reminded of this activity when I saw a quote from Dickie regarding the recent report on the CIA: "I would do it again in a minute". He continues to believe water boarding was effective even though the report refutes that in every instance--even going so far as saying it was unrelated to the capture of Osama Bin Laden. I am convinced he is so delusional he does not even know the difference between truth and lies. I am usually not a friend of Senator McCain but since he is the only senator who has been a prisoner of war, he has been worth listening to on this issue. He continues to be very clear--water boarding is torture and it was ineffective. Cheney cannot even hear that. He is a Dick for sure.
Moving on to other important events:
--A terrific picture recently on the CNN website. Big American flag filling up the whole screen in the background. In the foreground, a female solider just returned from Afghanistan. She is in a full open mouth kiss with her partner who, as it happens, is another woman. Wowza--it's the future. Get ready for it or get lost.
--Sitting in a sub shop in the neighborhood. Two women come in with ID tags around their necks. Then I see the cuffs and the handguns. They are plainclothes Boston detectives. It's the future. Get ready for it or get lost.
--And from the Lone Star state we have these items. Teachers are now allowed to carry concealed weapons because it makes the classrooms safer. Not sure what it does for educating the kids. Next, a headline in the Globe: "Brains missing from Texas university". Really? I believe my daughter still has hers so I am not sure what this is about.
--I wouldn't give Mark Wahlberg a pardon if my life depended on it. There are many more deserving folks than him. Having a big name and loads of money should not mean he gets to be first in the pardon line.
--I never thought too much of Lebron James except I knew he was a very good basketball player. But he knows he is a leader not just on the court but off it--so I admire his willingness to wear the "I can't breathe" T-shirt when warming up in Brooklyn last week. A borough away from Staten Island. Btw, another African American young adult killed by another white policeman and another jury unwilling to indict despite the video.
--We all know Cosby did something and deserves to be kicked around. We also know Aaron Hernandez is guilty no matter how many legal technicalities his defense team wins. I wanted to kick his teeth in when I saw a picture of him smiling as the judge threw out a bunch of prosecutable evidence.
--Saw Obama on Colbert last week--very funny and this Thursday is Colbert's last Comedy Central show. Very hard to imagine him on "regular" TV.
--I'm paying under $2.50 for gas and unemployment is better than ever. No matter, it will get ugly when the Republicans take over. Give Ruth Bader Ginsburg strength, my friends.
--Happy Hanukkah, Merry Xmas, and an Enjoyable Kwanzaa. Hope all you atheists have some sort of good holiday as well. Safe trips to all including my darling children one of whom arrives and the other departs this week.
SPORTS TALK
--The Bruins truly suck. I was able to watch nearly a full game over the weekend. I believe Lucic is on drugs and the rest of them just cannot score. BTW, Seguin is leading the league in goals. And they refuse to allow Pastrnak to stay up--not tough enough yet. Yikes.
--The Pats have been terrific and I would give Revis anything he wants to stay with them. He makes the defensive backfield work. Browner has not hurt them yet with all those penalties though I worry he will commit a big one at a bad time.
Sayonara
Moving on to other important events:
--A terrific picture recently on the CNN website. Big American flag filling up the whole screen in the background. In the foreground, a female solider just returned from Afghanistan. She is in a full open mouth kiss with her partner who, as it happens, is another woman. Wowza--it's the future. Get ready for it or get lost.
--Sitting in a sub shop in the neighborhood. Two women come in with ID tags around their necks. Then I see the cuffs and the handguns. They are plainclothes Boston detectives. It's the future. Get ready for it or get lost.
--And from the Lone Star state we have these items. Teachers are now allowed to carry concealed weapons because it makes the classrooms safer. Not sure what it does for educating the kids. Next, a headline in the Globe: "Brains missing from Texas university". Really? I believe my daughter still has hers so I am not sure what this is about.
--I wouldn't give Mark Wahlberg a pardon if my life depended on it. There are many more deserving folks than him. Having a big name and loads of money should not mean he gets to be first in the pardon line.
--I never thought too much of Lebron James except I knew he was a very good basketball player. But he knows he is a leader not just on the court but off it--so I admire his willingness to wear the "I can't breathe" T-shirt when warming up in Brooklyn last week. A borough away from Staten Island. Btw, another African American young adult killed by another white policeman and another jury unwilling to indict despite the video.
--We all know Cosby did something and deserves to be kicked around. We also know Aaron Hernandez is guilty no matter how many legal technicalities his defense team wins. I wanted to kick his teeth in when I saw a picture of him smiling as the judge threw out a bunch of prosecutable evidence.
--Saw Obama on Colbert last week--very funny and this Thursday is Colbert's last Comedy Central show. Very hard to imagine him on "regular" TV.
--I'm paying under $2.50 for gas and unemployment is better than ever. No matter, it will get ugly when the Republicans take over. Give Ruth Bader Ginsburg strength, my friends.
--Happy Hanukkah, Merry Xmas, and an Enjoyable Kwanzaa. Hope all you atheists have some sort of good holiday as well. Safe trips to all including my darling children one of whom arrives and the other departs this week.
SPORTS TALK
--The Bruins truly suck. I was able to watch nearly a full game over the weekend. I believe Lucic is on drugs and the rest of them just cannot score. BTW, Seguin is leading the league in goals. And they refuse to allow Pastrnak to stay up--not tough enough yet. Yikes.
--The Pats have been terrific and I would give Revis anything he wants to stay with them. He makes the defensive backfield work. Browner has not hurt them yet with all those penalties though I worry he will commit a big one at a bad time.
Sayonara
Monday, December 1, 2014
ROPE-A-DOPE
In Muhammad Ali's heyday, he used to lean against the ropes and let the other fighter pound away at him. He covered up and usually never even came away with a bruise. But it did tire the other fighter out enough so Ali could then go on the attack. He utilized this strategy frequently and it usually worked. I believe President Obama needs to do something similar. He needs to do everything that is likely to freak out the Republicans--close Guantanamo, formalize relations with Cuba, make executive appointments and decisions, advocate for climate change--he needs to come off the ropes and attack. Maybe they will get tired; maybe not. But he has no chance of reaching a compromise in these next two years. He should let them shut down the government, sue him for making executive decisions, veto any effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Let the people of color in America know what the Republicans stand for. Let those who now have insurance know the Republicans want to take it away. He has nothing to lose so fuck 'em.
On the other hand all of us should hope that nothing happens to Ruth Ginsburg--the tiny but strong Justice who just had a stent put in. she already has had both pancreatic cancer and colo-rectal cancer. If any of us think the Republicans have blocked everything, watch what happens if there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court.
I am sick and tired of Palestinian terrorism and Netanyahu recalcitrance. The attack in a synagogue killing 4 Rabbis was despicable but the ugly political culture in Israel is alarming as well. Yet another terrific article in the New Yorker by David Remnick about that culture leaves me feeling awfully pessimistic about any kind of stability let alone peace. And Hamas leaders applauded the murders in the synagogue--even after Abbas condemned them which means he cannot even control his own citizens. I'm pretty much out of words on this one.
I am also out of words regarding Ferguson, Missouri. It felt as if we were back in the 60's but without any leaders on the ground. First of all, how can there be a police force in a predominantly black community that has no black police officers. Did they miss the class on diversity? Second, to paraphrase Jeffrey Toobin, what fool decided to announce the decision at night when (hello) it is dark and much more difficult to manage rioters than during daytime. Third, the politicians who brought in the National Guard BEFORE the decision almost guaranteed that something would happen. Finally, to be fair, it is very nearly impossible to get a jury to convict or indict a police officer when they have testified it was a life or death situation. Just a recipe for combustion and that's what we got.
[Just saw a tape of an NFL game played yesterday in St. Louis. Five of the St. Louis Ram black players came out of the dressing room and onto the field with arms raised as if they were being arrested. A terrific piece of public theater especially when it turns out these 5 and other teammates have been in Ferguson all month working with kids. But of course, the police have been offended and want punishment. Hasn't there been enough of that?]
The casino bill was not overturned so I was wrong on that one. But the one in nearby Everett is 5 years away from opening. I actually don't care a bit about it nor do I care about the Olympics though if somehow Boston gets them, I'm outta here for a prolonged vacation.
Two other excellent articles: One in the Globe about a hockey coach who decided not to get a colonoscopy and now has end of life cancer (by Kevin Dupont). Only big time fools decide against them. Second article in last week's New Yorker about Angela Merkel basically arguing that she is the most powerful woman in the world.
SPORTSTALK
The son of "He of the Ancient Friendship" is coordinating the Pan Am games for the city of Toronto. A monumental task and one which will allow all venues to be re-used. The Pats loss yesterday was tough especially the first half. Gronk has to make that catch in the end zone in the second half and the defense forced 4 field goals which should have been enough. I worry about San Diego and a let down. They did have a great run.
When will the Yanks sign Robertson? Yikes.
Sayonara
On the other hand all of us should hope that nothing happens to Ruth Ginsburg--the tiny but strong Justice who just had a stent put in. she already has had both pancreatic cancer and colo-rectal cancer. If any of us think the Republicans have blocked everything, watch what happens if there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court.
I am sick and tired of Palestinian terrorism and Netanyahu recalcitrance. The attack in a synagogue killing 4 Rabbis was despicable but the ugly political culture in Israel is alarming as well. Yet another terrific article in the New Yorker by David Remnick about that culture leaves me feeling awfully pessimistic about any kind of stability let alone peace. And Hamas leaders applauded the murders in the synagogue--even after Abbas condemned them which means he cannot even control his own citizens. I'm pretty much out of words on this one.
I am also out of words regarding Ferguson, Missouri. It felt as if we were back in the 60's but without any leaders on the ground. First of all, how can there be a police force in a predominantly black community that has no black police officers. Did they miss the class on diversity? Second, to paraphrase Jeffrey Toobin, what fool decided to announce the decision at night when (hello) it is dark and much more difficult to manage rioters than during daytime. Third, the politicians who brought in the National Guard BEFORE the decision almost guaranteed that something would happen. Finally, to be fair, it is very nearly impossible to get a jury to convict or indict a police officer when they have testified it was a life or death situation. Just a recipe for combustion and that's what we got.
[Just saw a tape of an NFL game played yesterday in St. Louis. Five of the St. Louis Ram black players came out of the dressing room and onto the field with arms raised as if they were being arrested. A terrific piece of public theater especially when it turns out these 5 and other teammates have been in Ferguson all month working with kids. But of course, the police have been offended and want punishment. Hasn't there been enough of that?]
The casino bill was not overturned so I was wrong on that one. But the one in nearby Everett is 5 years away from opening. I actually don't care a bit about it nor do I care about the Olympics though if somehow Boston gets them, I'm outta here for a prolonged vacation.
Two other excellent articles: One in the Globe about a hockey coach who decided not to get a colonoscopy and now has end of life cancer (by Kevin Dupont). Only big time fools decide against them. Second article in last week's New Yorker about Angela Merkel basically arguing that she is the most powerful woman in the world.
SPORTSTALK
The son of "He of the Ancient Friendship" is coordinating the Pan Am games for the city of Toronto. A monumental task and one which will allow all venues to be re-used. The Pats loss yesterday was tough especially the first half. Gronk has to make that catch in the end zone in the second half and the defense forced 4 field goals which should have been enough. I worry about San Diego and a let down. They did have a great run.
When will the Yanks sign Robertson? Yikes.
Sayonara
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