DATELINE: OSLO

Being a member of the 1% club, i stepped off my private jet to see what all this fuss was about Norway and getting a bunch of them to come on over.  My three fellow social security recipients from bumfuck, Louisiana, accompanied me.  Being as how we were on a private jet, they were all good and liquored up.  Almost set the plane on fire when they continued to smoke their big fat cuban cigars on the tarmac.  This is what we fond out.  They have national health insurance which covers everyone--and everyone gets the same basic coverage.  People like me can buy supplements but everyone is covered.  Universities have no tuition.  So, me and the boys really could not cogitate this state of affairs.  One of them had this funny story:  "Went to see his primary care doctor who told him he needed a tetanus shot but it would not covered if it was given in the office.  Was told to go to a pharmacy where it would be covered.  Now even more confused, he went to CVS and was told yup they could give him the shot and yup it was covered but only after he paid a $60 co-pay. He called his doctor and told him he would stay away from rusty nails and not get the shot". Norwegians do not comprehend co-pays or partial coverages or any of our incomplete insurance plans.  The boys and I do not feel as if many Norwegians will be coming over here unless we open up the Alaskan coast line to whale hunting.  We said ta ta and told our hosts POTUS might just do that.

Moving on:
--Cory Booker was in an uproar when the head of Homeland Security could not "remember" what was said or who said what in the meeting when POTUS used the word shithole.  She can remember most everything in her job one would hope--like how to harass immigrants--but at this meeting, nope she just ould not remember.
--Central American individuals (legal or not) send remittances home to their families.  The money is a major support to those families and the money makes up almost 5% of a nation's GDP.  It will be ugly if the remittances stop because those folks are deported.  And don't even start talking to me about how they are all criminals.
--Time to put your trees and wreaths on the street.  Seriously.
--I now believe he was right--he could go out onto Fifth Avenue and murrder somebody and not get arrested.
--Never thought I would say I am a big fan of the FBI.  My only experience with them was during the fabulous 60's.  Details will have to wait.  But I love hem now.
--Entirely too much self satisfaction and gloating on MSNBC.  Meanwhile, nothing has changed and I am more skeptical than ever that POTUS will be removed from office.
--Which means continue to pray for RBG and be ready to work as the November election process begins.

SPORTS TALK
Briefly, I am way too optimistic about Mr. Brady and the boys.

Speak to you again at the end of February.
Shalom

WHERE TO START?

Maybe here:  Somewhere in the fabulous 60's, I marched with Dr. King down Commonwealth Avenue through Kenmore Square to Columbus Avenue.  Not sure what happened next but am very clear about doing it even to the point of knowing what jacket I wore since it was cold.  Pretty clear this has jogged my mind because today is MLK day. I am also very mindful about what is and what is not leadership/being a role model.  Just saw Obama on the David Letterman new Netflix show.  If you want to see what a leader looks like (even forgetting what he says and whether you agree with him) check out the show. Obama led and was nuanced and had BIG ideas about what we are as a people.  POTUS not so much--very SAD. Just sayin'.

Here goes:
--"A person , a dog, and 100 chickens die in a fire".  A direct quote from the Globe featured in a small story.  A dog and chickens sharing the lead with a human.  OMG.  At least, once every edition, we are treated to what seems to be an important story about animals while they send no reporters farther then route 128 to cover happenings in the bigger world.
--Do not know where this is from:  POTUS plays whack-a-mole not chess.  Right on target.
--Anybody see Jake Tapper and that creep Miller go at it?  Miller scares me.
--When did the word "bombogenesis" come from and who invented it.  The Weather Channel folks virtually pee in their pants at the prospect of yet another disastrous storm.  Unseemly.
--I believe Dick Durbin and not that twerp Cotton from Arkansas.  Cotton is a rigid "I wanna be President" type who apparently has some smarts and is vitriolic in his desire to return to the good old days, get rid of those "other" immigrants, and undo Health care.
--Saw a quote from a Norwegian something like this:  We have universal health care and free college, Mr. President, why would I come to America?
(Sneaking this in:  Happy Birthday to anyone out there about to celebrate their 70th)
--Do you know that the USA has more Ethiopian doctors than Ethiopia?  Maybe the next time you are in an ER and dying, you should ask where the MD is from.  You should definitely ask the maintenance staff because I am almost 100% sure they are immigrants--legal or otherwise. Also means it is not a good idea to get sick in Ethiopia.
--BTW, if you are not a Native American, you and your ancestors are immigrants--legal or otherwise.
--But, but, they were not from shit hole countries and they did not look different and they spoke the right language. My ancestors were from shit hole countries, did look different, and wrongly spoke Yiddish.
--Puerto Rico is still a mess and its post hurricane treatment by POTUS was majorly different that the post hurricane treatment of Houston. It is an island, ya know.
--His Haiti comments just happened on the 8th anniversary of the devastating earthquake.
--Great and, yet again, a depressing article in the NY Times about the National Park in Utah being reduced in size to exactly the size recommended by uranium mining companies.  Another coincidence.
--And the members of Congress who let this shit go on and say nary a word need to move on.  Pretty pathetic that I find Romney a welcome sight.
--Ten months to the mid-terms.

NO SPORTS BUT GO PATS!!

SHORT AND NOT SO SWEET

Just in case you are worried, I am bundled up in layers and have hiked the heat.  Can hardly wait to see the electric bill for the last two weeks.  Woke up this morning in the Berkshires to face a temp of minus 6.  Enough.

--A friend has gone through all sorts of clinical trials--all of which have failed.  His prostate cancer has spread and there is no other intervention.  He is facing the prospect of his demise with more courage and strength than I can imagine.  I would likely be in bed sucking my thumb.  This is the second peer who I have seen go through this hell and it is not pleasant.  I aim aware there will be more.
--Susan Collins caved and got nothing in return.  She should be embarrassed and the Maine voters ought to be angry.  The tax bill, apart from being so overwhelmingly pro business, eliminates the individual mandate.  I dare not brag too much but I do know what that means.  The mandate forced healthy (especially young healthy folks) to get health insurance thereby balancing the pool of those insured.  An insurance pool needs healthy people in it to keep rates low.  Otherwise, insurers will get out of town and not participate because there are only sick people .  It is god awful and, separate from POTUS, we should all be angry at the members of Congress who are gutless wonders.
--According to Fox News, a coup is coming and we should get in our bunkers--the sales of which are booming by the way.
--Who is Jillian Michaels and why is she in my tv so much?
--Enos Kanter is a Turkish behemoth who plays in the NBA.  He apparently said something naughty about the Turkish President and now is banned and could be arrested if he returns to his homeland.  Kind of like a fatwa. Th same Turkish president who pretty much is an asshole dictator.
--POTUS did an interview with the NY Times.  An analysis documented 24 lies in the interview.  And we continue to let him get away with that shit.
--The POTUS wall will prove nothing except that his rabid fans will see some bricks and can pretend it will matter.  The Dreamers are flesh and blood teenagers and young adults.   To essentially offer a trade of the wall for support of the Dreamers is beneath our dignity and ugly.

Happy New Year to all.