Images of Vietnam continue to whirl about inside my head though I have yet to draw any IMPORTANT conclusions. I will say this: I love Europe, love to travel there, and love its history. But it ends up being very close to us in term of culture and social issues. Going somewhere else that is very different (think Vietnam or Cuba) is an entirely special sort of experience. My best example disgusting as it is: try having a "toileting" problem in a bathroom with no flushing apparatus in the middle of nowhere and the toilet paper is handed out to you on your way in. Not the Ritz. Moving on.
--Do not try and tell me that this weekend's murders in Colorado are unrelated to the venom spewing out of the mouths of the Republican candidates. Huckabee, he of no experience at all, had the cojones to suggest the murders were akin to abortions. Cannot wait for the Donald to have his say and suggest that if Planned Parenthood were not open, this would not happen.
--Ezra Schwartz, a local kid, is dead and was murdered by a Palestinian probably no older than him in a conflict that shows no signs of waning. And also no signs of real leadership on either side. Spoke to someone who spends a lot of time there and has close Israeli friends there--it is the first time he has heard them say they are scared. I am scared too--scared that I have no clue how this will end up.
--Andrew Ferrence is an NHL player for the Calgary Flames. When he played for the Boston Bruins, he lived in the city and used to bike to "work". He read about the arrival of Syrian refugees into Canada and promptly wrote a check for $10,000 to ensure they had adequate support. Canada is committed to taking about 10 times the number of refugees than the United States. But thanks to the gutless wonders here, we might not even attain that number. And that includes this state's stupid Governor who has finally shown his Republican colors.
--The Mayor of Austin (where a close relative of mine lives) wrote an article for the Texas Tribune in which he wrote that he would welcome the Syrians into Austin. That is called leadership especially in a state which has already said thanks but no.
--The terrorist murders in France have driven the right wing demagogues out of hiding and onto the front pages. They believe the correct response are fences and boats to send them back. On the other hand I am not sure at all that the bombing of ISIS will have a lasting impact. These folks are not just terrorists but religious zealots who might prefer death and ascension into heaven. You cannot fight their zealotry with guns--and I believe Netanyahu and Abbas better figure that out also.
--By the way, many of the terrorists involved in the French murders were born in France or Belgium so closing the borders may not be the answer.
--Not sure where but read a poignant letter from a father who is now a single parent after the murder of his wife. Refusing to let the terrorists change his life or his lifestyle.
--The most dangerous Republican could be Rubio--primarily because he is actually smart. He is also a far right crazy but the other guys are just stupid which is why in a very weird way I hope either Trump or Carson is the nominee. Rubio (and Cruz for that matter) are self hating Latinos who now that they are citizens want to shut down any pathway for others coming from Central or South America. It is truly pathetic. But Rubio is brighter than the rest.
--Our Child Welfare agency just announced some major changes--one of which is requiring that their front line workers receive an hour of supervision a week. Seriously? This is the first time that supervision has been required? They are really shit out of luck and the kids will be the ones that suffer.
--Saw Spotlight the other day and did not think I could again get pissed at the Catholic Church--but I did. I am not sure it is a great movie but really Cardinal Law (who got a promotion for all his dirty work) should be kicked to the curb along with his henchmen.
Enough.
SPORTSTALK
--OMG, I saw the hit on Gronk last night and have convinced myself that they targeted his knee. After that , the Pats had no chance but remain a game ahead in the AFC. They are hurting literally and cannot be counted on unless they get home field in the playoffs.
--Michigan got its ass kicked by Ohio State but remember, this is Harbaugh's first year--they will get better.
--So, while I was away, Seguin scores a hat trick against the Bruins and is leading the league in scoring--but Claude did not like his defensive skills.
Adios
Monday, November 30, 2015
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
VIET NAM: SOME NOT SO RANDOM THOUGHTS
So, we just returned from 18 days in Vietnam. Before I share some of my thoughts, let me mention two related items. At any age, let alone mine, a 15 hour non stop flight is a numbing nightmare even if it all goes smoothly. Second, this is not about the war with Vietnam though it did hang over us like a dark cloud--especially in light of the 50,000 Americans killed and untold millions of Vietnamese. So if you want to debate the war, look elsewhere.
--We started in Hanoi--a city full of a bustling street scene and lots of street vendors most of whom seemed female while the men lolled around in the cafes. As we were reminded by our terrific tour guide, the country is not just a socialist one but it is also a dictatorship. This was most evident in Hanoi where every so often the speakers on the electric poles would chirp up some shit to inspire the workers. Then there were the motor bikes (and I am not talking Harleys). I am talking the equivalent of Vespas driven by a bazilliion maniacs--none of whom obey one fucking law. They ignore street lights, ignore pedestrians, go down one way streets the wrong way, drive on the sidewalk if street traffic is too heavy, and carry all manner of cargo including children. Oh, and did I mention, they rarely wear helmets. One look at the telephone poles and you wonder how they don't just explode with the profusion of wires all exposed and connecting who knows what to who knows what.
--The country uses no coins. Going to an ATM allows you to come away with million dollar bills which feels very exciting until you are told you are holding $50 dollars American. No newspapers but plenty of women selling chicken and fish--both unrefrigerated--sitting on cutting boards all day.
--I forget the numbers but this is a young country with tons of children and adults under 30. An excellent state run airline and a 38 hour train ride between Hanoi and Saigon which we did not take. BTW, the Vietnamese do not call it Ho Chi Minh city no matter what the government says--it is Saigon.
--They hate the Chinese even while being afraid of them--the ocean to the East which the rest of us call the South China sea is referred to as the East Sea by the Vietnamese.
--We visited 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites--Halong Bay which is just spectacular, Hoi Ann a tourist mecca but untouched by any war damage and full of pedestrian friendly streets, and the ruins (I forget the name) of an ancient civilization.
--Every time I saw a man with a missing limb, I wondered......
--If Hanoi is the political capital with a population of 8 million, then Saigon is the economic capital with a population of 10 million. Together, they make up about 1/4 of the population. There are a number of medium size cities--Hue, Nha Trang, and Danang to name 3. But a lot of folks live in rural villages and lead very agricultural lives--still plowing many fields with water buffalo. They are the second biggest coffee exporter in the world and that Starbucks coffee you sip might be from there even though Starbucks won't admit it. They export tons (literally) of rice mainly coming from the South. We traveled on the Mekong River--a la John Kerry.
--Met with villagers making bamboo baskets and/chopsticks with old fashioned tools. Drank shots of rum with the mayor of one village. Met with two Viet Cong soldiers still heeding a rather rigid party line and getting me close to anger for the only time during the visit.
--Went to the War Remnants Museum (check out that language) which is their effort to show their citizens about that war. While it is a major propaganda site, it is important to remember they have a perspective too-which is way different than ours. People in the North generally believe they won the war. People in the South generally believe we abandoned them. These are generalities but they sound very familiar today, don't they?.
--Went to the site of Cu Chi which contained multiple tunnels used as both protection and subterranean housing during that war.
--Visited a Montagnard village--the ethnic "hill" tribe who were bought off by our CIA to fight the Viet Cong. Still isolated and still remote though no longer in the jungle.
--Don't ever go in the rainy season. We were there when it was supposed to be over and overall the weather was great--except for two days where it poured horizontally and flooded some streets.
--Nha Trang is on the way to becoming the BIG mid country version of Miami Beach. High rises, discos, and a magical beach populated by Russians and, no offense, but you can tell those Russians in about two seconds what with the men in speedos and the women in bikinis and in both cases they belong on much thinner bodies.
--A vibrant, exciting country very much like Cuba though Cuba seems to be making peace with itself. A socialist dictatorship where public education is not free and there is no national health insurance--go figure.
--Had a terrific time with very nice travel companions and ate wonderful pho and what seemed like 8 courses of food at every meal. There is more to say but like the meals, I have not fully digested it yet.
--The people were warm, generous, hospitable, and excited about meeting Americans. Toured Dalat University with two young women just dying to improve their English and then visiting America. Got laughed at there and elsewhere because of my hirsute appearance.
--Much more to say and I kind of feel like I have not done the trip justice. We loved it.
--But oh that 15 hour flight.
I will stop here by wishing you all a Happy Turkey Day and saying that I have no words/insights into ISIS attacks except my thoughts are with the victims.
Adios.
--We started in Hanoi--a city full of a bustling street scene and lots of street vendors most of whom seemed female while the men lolled around in the cafes. As we were reminded by our terrific tour guide, the country is not just a socialist one but it is also a dictatorship. This was most evident in Hanoi where every so often the speakers on the electric poles would chirp up some shit to inspire the workers. Then there were the motor bikes (and I am not talking Harleys). I am talking the equivalent of Vespas driven by a bazilliion maniacs--none of whom obey one fucking law. They ignore street lights, ignore pedestrians, go down one way streets the wrong way, drive on the sidewalk if street traffic is too heavy, and carry all manner of cargo including children. Oh, and did I mention, they rarely wear helmets. One look at the telephone poles and you wonder how they don't just explode with the profusion of wires all exposed and connecting who knows what to who knows what.
--The country uses no coins. Going to an ATM allows you to come away with million dollar bills which feels very exciting until you are told you are holding $50 dollars American. No newspapers but plenty of women selling chicken and fish--both unrefrigerated--sitting on cutting boards all day.
--I forget the numbers but this is a young country with tons of children and adults under 30. An excellent state run airline and a 38 hour train ride between Hanoi and Saigon which we did not take. BTW, the Vietnamese do not call it Ho Chi Minh city no matter what the government says--it is Saigon.
--They hate the Chinese even while being afraid of them--the ocean to the East which the rest of us call the South China sea is referred to as the East Sea by the Vietnamese.
--We visited 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites--Halong Bay which is just spectacular, Hoi Ann a tourist mecca but untouched by any war damage and full of pedestrian friendly streets, and the ruins (I forget the name) of an ancient civilization.
--Every time I saw a man with a missing limb, I wondered......
--If Hanoi is the political capital with a population of 8 million, then Saigon is the economic capital with a population of 10 million. Together, they make up about 1/4 of the population. There are a number of medium size cities--Hue, Nha Trang, and Danang to name 3. But a lot of folks live in rural villages and lead very agricultural lives--still plowing many fields with water buffalo. They are the second biggest coffee exporter in the world and that Starbucks coffee you sip might be from there even though Starbucks won't admit it. They export tons (literally) of rice mainly coming from the South. We traveled on the Mekong River--a la John Kerry.
--Met with villagers making bamboo baskets and/chopsticks with old fashioned tools. Drank shots of rum with the mayor of one village. Met with two Viet Cong soldiers still heeding a rather rigid party line and getting me close to anger for the only time during the visit.
--Went to the War Remnants Museum (check out that language) which is their effort to show their citizens about that war. While it is a major propaganda site, it is important to remember they have a perspective too-which is way different than ours. People in the North generally believe they won the war. People in the South generally believe we abandoned them. These are generalities but they sound very familiar today, don't they?.
--Went to the site of Cu Chi which contained multiple tunnels used as both protection and subterranean housing during that war.
--Visited a Montagnard village--the ethnic "hill" tribe who were bought off by our CIA to fight the Viet Cong. Still isolated and still remote though no longer in the jungle.
--Don't ever go in the rainy season. We were there when it was supposed to be over and overall the weather was great--except for two days where it poured horizontally and flooded some streets.
--Nha Trang is on the way to becoming the BIG mid country version of Miami Beach. High rises, discos, and a magical beach populated by Russians and, no offense, but you can tell those Russians in about two seconds what with the men in speedos and the women in bikinis and in both cases they belong on much thinner bodies.
--A vibrant, exciting country very much like Cuba though Cuba seems to be making peace with itself. A socialist dictatorship where public education is not free and there is no national health insurance--go figure.
--Had a terrific time with very nice travel companions and ate wonderful pho and what seemed like 8 courses of food at every meal. There is more to say but like the meals, I have not fully digested it yet.
--The people were warm, generous, hospitable, and excited about meeting Americans. Toured Dalat University with two young women just dying to improve their English and then visiting America. Got laughed at there and elsewhere because of my hirsute appearance.
--Much more to say and I kind of feel like I have not done the trip justice. We loved it.
--But oh that 15 hour flight.
I will stop here by wishing you all a Happy Turkey Day and saying that I have no words/insights into ISIS attacks except my thoughts are with the victims.
Adios.
Monday, October 19, 2015
WEAVER THE WEATHERMAN
If you grew up in Miami in the 50's (and I know 3 of us did), you probably watched WTVJ--the CBS affiliate . Weaver the Weatherman joined Jack Cummins and Ralph Renick to form the evening news team. This is only relevant because I was reminded of Weaver the Weatherman last night and today. Temps last night dropped into the 30's and temps today did not get out of the 40's. So, I am about to give you a pass if you wore a wool cap, had gloves on, or put on a winter coat. However, you get nothing but derisive snorts if you wore LL Bean rubber soled boots--there was no rain, no sleet, no snow, and no precipitation in general. Those boots are not to be used as some sort of fashion statement. Wear your fancy leather boots or some other contraption. Keep the Bean boots in the closet until I give you permission to bring them out. I could wait for Weaver's report but I am guessing he is no longer with us.
ODD ENDS
--Two great articles about guns. A piece in the on line version of Rolling Stone and another by Adam Gopnik in the New Yorker. Both written after yet another shooting spree this one in Oregon. The Donald opined that if the teachers had guns, it would not have happened. My thoughtful fantasy: separate the hunters from the NRA and try to convince them they have nothing in common with people who use Saturday night specials or automatic weapons. Isolate the NRA and get them to defend these murderers.
--Obama in his comments on the Oregon murders was positively despondent--mentioned that he had done this 16 times in the almost 8 years of his presidency.
--The Blount County Tennessee Commissioners passed a resolution asking God's forgiveness for the decision on same sex marriage. They probably believe they will get a quick response from him/her (was that politically correct or what?).
--A great video clip from Saturday Night Live with Hilary acting as a bartender and the woman who portrays her on the show acting as a customer in the bar. Hilarious.
--An article in "All You"--a mag I bought with expiring miles--with the following headline: "My pet is my hero" Really how fucking pathetic can that be when so many living human beings deserve that label.
--Our abstemious (look it up!!) Mayor wants to ban alcohol related ads on all public buses. Has also filed yet another suit against the casino. This guy is dangerously pious about these things. At virtually the same time, our state Treasurer proposed to use our lottery to compete with Draft Kings and Fan Duel. Confirming what I believe--the lottery is not really gambling; it is something else.
The migrants continue to cross the Mediterranean, continue to drown, and continue to get stuck in ugly tent cities all over Eastern Europe. The Germans continue to play a lead and act as role models for some the nastier governments like Hungary with its new razor wire fence.
--The mistakes built into the use of drones and/or long range missiles was in full display when we bombed the hospital in Kunduz. With friends like us.....
--Too much "grinding" has forced some fucking school to cancel dances until the prom. Adults are so two faced about this sex stuff. I read somewhere that the Europeans are much more concerned about violence in movies than sex--and we are much more concerned about sex. This grinding business just confirms it.
--Spending time with good friends is to be appreciated and enjoyed. We had a great time with our Toronto contingent and then went to NYC to visit other friends. It is like comfort food for the soul.
--Listen up, spuds. As Mary Travers sang: "Our bags are packed and we're ready to go". We are going to SE Asia this coming weekend. I am totally freaked out and in high anxiety (Where is Mel Brooks when you need him?) about the 16 hour non stop flight we have to take. Also very excited. But, alas and alack, you will not here from me again until just before Thanks giving. So try and manage your withdrawal slowly and safely.
--Continue to get healthy, C.
SPORTS TALK
The Pats beat the Colts but the crazed New England fans wanted a bigger beat down because of Deflategate. The Pats are 5-0 so shut up. That Michigan loss was horrific but the following was worse: the young man who flubbed the punt has been getting death threats. That really is sucky and low. The Bruins lose 3 in a row and the bridges are lined with fans ready to jump. It is an 82 game season assholes. Rooting for the Cubs because of Theo and the Jays because of my friends in the Great White North.
Adios
ODD ENDS
--Two great articles about guns. A piece in the on line version of Rolling Stone and another by Adam Gopnik in the New Yorker. Both written after yet another shooting spree this one in Oregon. The Donald opined that if the teachers had guns, it would not have happened. My thoughtful fantasy: separate the hunters from the NRA and try to convince them they have nothing in common with people who use Saturday night specials or automatic weapons. Isolate the NRA and get them to defend these murderers.
--Obama in his comments on the Oregon murders was positively despondent--mentioned that he had done this 16 times in the almost 8 years of his presidency.
--The Blount County Tennessee Commissioners passed a resolution asking God's forgiveness for the decision on same sex marriage. They probably believe they will get a quick response from him/her (was that politically correct or what?).
--A great video clip from Saturday Night Live with Hilary acting as a bartender and the woman who portrays her on the show acting as a customer in the bar. Hilarious.
--An article in "All You"--a mag I bought with expiring miles--with the following headline: "My pet is my hero" Really how fucking pathetic can that be when so many living human beings deserve that label.
--Our abstemious (look it up!!) Mayor wants to ban alcohol related ads on all public buses. Has also filed yet another suit against the casino. This guy is dangerously pious about these things. At virtually the same time, our state Treasurer proposed to use our lottery to compete with Draft Kings and Fan Duel. Confirming what I believe--the lottery is not really gambling; it is something else.
The migrants continue to cross the Mediterranean, continue to drown, and continue to get stuck in ugly tent cities all over Eastern Europe. The Germans continue to play a lead and act as role models for some the nastier governments like Hungary with its new razor wire fence.
--The mistakes built into the use of drones and/or long range missiles was in full display when we bombed the hospital in Kunduz. With friends like us.....
--Too much "grinding" has forced some fucking school to cancel dances until the prom. Adults are so two faced about this sex stuff. I read somewhere that the Europeans are much more concerned about violence in movies than sex--and we are much more concerned about sex. This grinding business just confirms it.
--Spending time with good friends is to be appreciated and enjoyed. We had a great time with our Toronto contingent and then went to NYC to visit other friends. It is like comfort food for the soul.
--Listen up, spuds. As Mary Travers sang: "Our bags are packed and we're ready to go". We are going to SE Asia this coming weekend. I am totally freaked out and in high anxiety (Where is Mel Brooks when you need him?) about the 16 hour non stop flight we have to take. Also very excited. But, alas and alack, you will not here from me again until just before Thanks giving. So try and manage your withdrawal slowly and safely.
--Continue to get healthy, C.
SPORTS TALK
The Pats beat the Colts but the crazed New England fans wanted a bigger beat down because of Deflategate. The Pats are 5-0 so shut up. That Michigan loss was horrific but the following was worse: the young man who flubbed the punt has been getting death threats. That really is sucky and low. The Bruins lose 3 in a row and the bridges are lined with fans ready to jump. It is an 82 game season assholes. Rooting for the Cubs because of Theo and the Jays because of my friends in the Great White North.
Adios
Thursday, October 1, 2015
"SAY NO TO RUGS"
Hah!! I saw this phrase on a car sticker. It was encircled in red with one of those red lines going through it diagonally. I think it is terrific and only wish I had thought of it so I could be the next millionaire. Legalize all rugs I say or do away with all rugs since I like the look of wooden floors especially those wide board types. Given what goes on in this country with respect to drugs, I might also say the same for them. Legalize them all; get in business with the cartels;, farm those Afghan poppies; and stop sending so many people to jail.
Items:
--A giant shout out to the new Director of Development at the Blanton Museum. You earned it and you got it and you will succeed. You go girl.
--Hungary has its fence, used water cannons, tear gas, and generally tried to make life miserable for the refugees flowing from the South. The Balkan countries and those in Eastern Europe are now squabbling about whose causing the most harm. These people just want to get moving and go further north. They get it--Hungary does not want them. It is despicable--meanwhile we have politicians who would like a wall along our border with Mexico--as if they have not learned one thing. And, oh yeah, the Israelis have built there own but it has not reduced the violence one bit. Does anyone learn anything??
--If I see one more scantily clad female model with a cross hanging between her nearly exposed breasts, I might puke. What would Pope Francis say about that, huh?
--Well there is this Arizona republican who boycotted the Pope's speech to Congress despite being Catholic. Why, you might ask. He does not think it is in the Pope's job description to discuss climate change or our relationship with Cuba or how we should welcome immigrants. This is in a state which is likely to be the next New Mexico--a sate with a minority majority.
--Our child welfare agency continues to mishandle cases. The parents of "Baby Bella" were nabbed and when I saw them, I was not really shocked. Strung out junkies. The mother already had two other children removed and our child welfare workers had been in her home and did not notice anything amiss even after removing the other two. At least our Governor did not create more commissions or investigations--he actually made some changes. And the leader of the Social Workers union actually got up and supported the changes--but he did say something which largely went unnoticed--"children will continue to die" no matter what we do. Until we, as a society, respect children and not treat them as objects, they will die. Until we put more money into prevention, they will die. We know that smoking causes lung cancer and know also that smoking prevention programs have reduced the number of people who smoke and thus have reduced the incidence of lung cancer. We know, at time of birth, babies who are at risk for abuse--parents age at time of birth is a big variable. Parents who abuse drugs or alcohol is another biggie. Parents who have been victims themselves is another. WE KNOW ALL THIS. But continue to put flowers in front of houses where children have been murdered by adult caregivers. Enough.
--The Donald did a whole bunch of crazy stuff but none worse than suggesting vaccines cause autism. Much like climate change, the people who love the Donald do not believe in science and might actually withhold vaccines from their kids.
--Ben Carson, he an African American Republican candidate for President, told NASCAR fans it is ok to bring their Confederate flags to the races. Quite the role model.
--John Boehner is down for the count which is fine except someone worse is just around the corner so I am not too excited--although he did cry during the Pope's speech which is just so human.
--UMass Memorial Hospitals which dominates the middle of the state (and includes a hospital connected to the state's only public medical school) is a non profit with a 54 million dollar surplus. In smaller print you learn that one way they got there was by laying off over 400 staff. How many were doctors would you guess?
--Get better, CP.
SPORTS TALK
--Brady likes the Donald which really forces me to step a bit further away from him. Then he backtracked. But I am telling you, the less we know about the personal lives of our athletic heroes, the better off we are. The Pats look terrific but need some tougher opponents. And yikes, the Yanks are choking big time. Almost time for the puck to drop. So every time Russell Wilson does something like throw a touchdown pass, he points up to heaven and then at press conferences thanks God. After beating the Seahawks a couple of weeks ago, Aaron Rodgers, who is a Cal Berkley grad and has a brain which he actually uses, said he thought it proved that God did not have a favorite NFL team.
Adios
Items:
--A giant shout out to the new Director of Development at the Blanton Museum. You earned it and you got it and you will succeed. You go girl.
--Hungary has its fence, used water cannons, tear gas, and generally tried to make life miserable for the refugees flowing from the South. The Balkan countries and those in Eastern Europe are now squabbling about whose causing the most harm. These people just want to get moving and go further north. They get it--Hungary does not want them. It is despicable--meanwhile we have politicians who would like a wall along our border with Mexico--as if they have not learned one thing. And, oh yeah, the Israelis have built there own but it has not reduced the violence one bit. Does anyone learn anything??
--If I see one more scantily clad female model with a cross hanging between her nearly exposed breasts, I might puke. What would Pope Francis say about that, huh?
--Well there is this Arizona republican who boycotted the Pope's speech to Congress despite being Catholic. Why, you might ask. He does not think it is in the Pope's job description to discuss climate change or our relationship with Cuba or how we should welcome immigrants. This is in a state which is likely to be the next New Mexico--a sate with a minority majority.
--Our child welfare agency continues to mishandle cases. The parents of "Baby Bella" were nabbed and when I saw them, I was not really shocked. Strung out junkies. The mother already had two other children removed and our child welfare workers had been in her home and did not notice anything amiss even after removing the other two. At least our Governor did not create more commissions or investigations--he actually made some changes. And the leader of the Social Workers union actually got up and supported the changes--but he did say something which largely went unnoticed--"children will continue to die" no matter what we do. Until we, as a society, respect children and not treat them as objects, they will die. Until we put more money into prevention, they will die. We know that smoking causes lung cancer and know also that smoking prevention programs have reduced the number of people who smoke and thus have reduced the incidence of lung cancer. We know, at time of birth, babies who are at risk for abuse--parents age at time of birth is a big variable. Parents who abuse drugs or alcohol is another biggie. Parents who have been victims themselves is another. WE KNOW ALL THIS. But continue to put flowers in front of houses where children have been murdered by adult caregivers. Enough.
--The Donald did a whole bunch of crazy stuff but none worse than suggesting vaccines cause autism. Much like climate change, the people who love the Donald do not believe in science and might actually withhold vaccines from their kids.
--Ben Carson, he an African American Republican candidate for President, told NASCAR fans it is ok to bring their Confederate flags to the races. Quite the role model.
--John Boehner is down for the count which is fine except someone worse is just around the corner so I am not too excited--although he did cry during the Pope's speech which is just so human.
--UMass Memorial Hospitals which dominates the middle of the state (and includes a hospital connected to the state's only public medical school) is a non profit with a 54 million dollar surplus. In smaller print you learn that one way they got there was by laying off over 400 staff. How many were doctors would you guess?
--Get better, CP.
SPORTS TALK
--Brady likes the Donald which really forces me to step a bit further away from him. Then he backtracked. But I am telling you, the less we know about the personal lives of our athletic heroes, the better off we are. The Pats look terrific but need some tougher opponents. And yikes, the Yanks are choking big time. Almost time for the puck to drop. So every time Russell Wilson does something like throw a touchdown pass, he points up to heaven and then at press conferences thanks God. After beating the Seahawks a couple of weeks ago, Aaron Rodgers, who is a Cal Berkley grad and has a brain which he actually uses, said he thought it proved that God did not have a favorite NFL team.
Adios
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
IT'S BEEN A WHILE
But I am still angry--and hopefully have not lost my touch. Let's just start with some odd ends.
--The not so good news is much like last summer, I lost another cousin. Marilyn's death was unexpected and pretty much left her family in tatters. She was a wonderful niece to my mother and a great friend to Barbara and me.
--The good news is that, while in the Berkshires, I re-united with a long lost cousin and his wife who I had not seen in nearly 30 years. A very warm and intimate reunion. He took me on my only visit to Ebbets Field when we were kids and he lived in Brooklyn.
--The Berkshires were terrific though trying to get into the kitchen with 5 assertive female cooks was not always easy. The weather was just wonderful while the visit of the black bear to our deck was kind of interesting. I was never sure how these big family get togethers over a month long time span would work. And, yup, there are tensions and difficulties. But seeing my grandchildren and my young adult niece/nephew and my adult children all in the same room is very special. I cannot quite quote the date but Frank Bruni wrote a super column in the NY Times about these vacations.
--So, I go to the Post Office on Saturday morning. Two clerks working while a third counter space lies unstaffed. Meanwhile the line is so long--you get it? You can see other staff in the back room just walking and yakking. One of the clerks makes the following announcement: "If you don't like the lines, come earlier." Some wise guy in the line (?moi?) says "if you staffed better, the line would be shorter". I vote immediately to privatize it despite my support of unions. The service in these places is a joke.
--I so miss Jon Stewart. I can only imagine what he would be saying about the Donald and the rest of the Republican crew--or Bernie for that matter. A recent article in the New Yorker about the Donald is enough to scare the pants off of you. I admit there is still a part of me that hopes he wins the nomination since I do believe someone will then kick the shit out of him. But then again....
--Cruz and Huckabee decided they needed to visit the Kentucky court clerk who refused to marry gay and/or lesbian couples. Despite what the Supremes decided. Yet their total disregard for the law and their selfish political ploy raised no hackles anywhere--just what you would expect from those good old boys.
--Turkey has entered the coalition fighting ISIS and, oh by the way, their planes managed to bomb the Kurds on their way to bombing ISIS. It is really ugly over there and while I still believe we will have a country called Kurdistan, Turkey will likely make it a bloody process.
--Now raise your hands if any of your ancestors came over on the Mayflower or you are related to Native Americans. MMM--I see less than five of you. Therefore, you likely are the children or grandchildren or perhaps even great grandchildren of immigrants. Most of us came from some place else and usually to escape oppression or to look for a better economic situation. For those fucking Republicans to play on the ugly nature of certain segments of the population is worse than pathetic--it is racist and frequently anti-Semitic.
--Many Hungarians welcomed Hitler so it is not surprising that they are having a fence built to keep out the influx of immigrants. The really welcome surprise is the spontaneous positive welcome of the German people. Plus they are taking over 400,000 refugees. I know this is primarily a problem in Europe. But for the U.S. to feel comfy with taking 10,000 of them is downright insulting. Oh, by the way, Netanyahu has refused any of these folks--it figures.
--Calling all Social Workers. You may not follow sports but the judge who handed down the decision on Tom Brady has an MSW. Hah.
SPORTS TALK
So some of the paparazzi mags had Giselle divorcing Tommy over Deflate gate--now what? And does anyone care? Ben Rosen is a true freshmen starting QB at UCLA--and a member of the tribe. My Yanks are having a hard time holding onto that wild card spot. But, as predicted here, those Jays are just winning and winning. Rex is up there in Buffalo already running off at the mouth. I do believe it will be a tough game
A shout out to Charles during his recuperation--be strong.
Adios
--The not so good news is much like last summer, I lost another cousin. Marilyn's death was unexpected and pretty much left her family in tatters. She was a wonderful niece to my mother and a great friend to Barbara and me.
--The good news is that, while in the Berkshires, I re-united with a long lost cousin and his wife who I had not seen in nearly 30 years. A very warm and intimate reunion. He took me on my only visit to Ebbets Field when we were kids and he lived in Brooklyn.
--The Berkshires were terrific though trying to get into the kitchen with 5 assertive female cooks was not always easy. The weather was just wonderful while the visit of the black bear to our deck was kind of interesting. I was never sure how these big family get togethers over a month long time span would work. And, yup, there are tensions and difficulties. But seeing my grandchildren and my young adult niece/nephew and my adult children all in the same room is very special. I cannot quite quote the date but Frank Bruni wrote a super column in the NY Times about these vacations.
--So, I go to the Post Office on Saturday morning. Two clerks working while a third counter space lies unstaffed. Meanwhile the line is so long--you get it? You can see other staff in the back room just walking and yakking. One of the clerks makes the following announcement: "If you don't like the lines, come earlier." Some wise guy in the line (?moi?) says "if you staffed better, the line would be shorter". I vote immediately to privatize it despite my support of unions. The service in these places is a joke.
--I so miss Jon Stewart. I can only imagine what he would be saying about the Donald and the rest of the Republican crew--or Bernie for that matter. A recent article in the New Yorker about the Donald is enough to scare the pants off of you. I admit there is still a part of me that hopes he wins the nomination since I do believe someone will then kick the shit out of him. But then again....
--Cruz and Huckabee decided they needed to visit the Kentucky court clerk who refused to marry gay and/or lesbian couples. Despite what the Supremes decided. Yet their total disregard for the law and their selfish political ploy raised no hackles anywhere--just what you would expect from those good old boys.
--Turkey has entered the coalition fighting ISIS and, oh by the way, their planes managed to bomb the Kurds on their way to bombing ISIS. It is really ugly over there and while I still believe we will have a country called Kurdistan, Turkey will likely make it a bloody process.
--Now raise your hands if any of your ancestors came over on the Mayflower or you are related to Native Americans. MMM--I see less than five of you. Therefore, you likely are the children or grandchildren or perhaps even great grandchildren of immigrants. Most of us came from some place else and usually to escape oppression or to look for a better economic situation. For those fucking Republicans to play on the ugly nature of certain segments of the population is worse than pathetic--it is racist and frequently anti-Semitic.
--Many Hungarians welcomed Hitler so it is not surprising that they are having a fence built to keep out the influx of immigrants. The really welcome surprise is the spontaneous positive welcome of the German people. Plus they are taking over 400,000 refugees. I know this is primarily a problem in Europe. But for the U.S. to feel comfy with taking 10,000 of them is downright insulting. Oh, by the way, Netanyahu has refused any of these folks--it figures.
--Calling all Social Workers. You may not follow sports but the judge who handed down the decision on Tom Brady has an MSW. Hah.
SPORTS TALK
So some of the paparazzi mags had Giselle divorcing Tommy over Deflate gate--now what? And does anyone care? Ben Rosen is a true freshmen starting QB at UCLA--and a member of the tribe. My Yanks are having a hard time holding onto that wild card spot. But, as predicted here, those Jays are just winning and winning. Rex is up there in Buffalo already running off at the mouth. I do believe it will be a tough game
A shout out to Charles during his recuperation--be strong.
Adios
Thursday, July 30, 2015
I CAN BARELY SUMMON THE WORDS
I feel lucky that I am a sane and flexible humanitarian--otherwise my head might have exploded at some point in the last two weeks. Where to start? How about in one of my favorite places--the South:
--Let's start with Mr. Huckabee who, as a born again, has the "right" to tell us members of the tribe what the impact of the Iran deal means for Israel. He believes it brings Israelis to the door of the ovens. A not so subtle message regarding the Holocaust. Why isn't he back in bum fuck Arkansas chewing tobacco and drinking moonshine? Let's be clear that when the Huckabees of the world join up with the Sheldon Adelson's of the world, they are dangerous.
--Then we have the fine folks of Pensacola and their NASCAR relatives who refuse to put away their confederate flags because it is part of their heritage. Yup, that racist heritage symbolized by the flag. That's why given them great praise for removing the flag from state buildings is misguided. It did not change attitudes. And with leaders like Cruz, Perry, Huckabee, Graham, and all the rest, we can expect nothing in the way of enlightened leadership.
--Rick Perry would like laws allowing guns to be taken into movie theatres--this in response to the recent murders in Lafayette, Louisiana. That is a leader telling us his solution. Even Jindal did not go there.
--Florida, wouldn't you know, leads the country in the incidence of leprosy. Maybe if the migrant camps in Belle Glade were sanitary and folks there (mainly immigrants, Donald) made a living wage, this could have been avoided.
--Cincinnati being on the border qualifies in my geography as a Southern border town. No surprise then that the latest in a too long list of white police men killing African American citizens occurred there. And he lied but ooops he was wearing a video cam which captured the truth.
--One of former Governor Perry's finest (yes a white policeman) arrested an African American who protested a tad too much for him and he sent her off to jail where she committed suicide. He lied but he also had a video of the incident proving the truth.
--And the Donald may be from New York but he might as well be from the south what with his racist and downright nasty views on immigration.
--Enough--one can only hope that these Republicans will destroy each other. I secretly hope one of the crazies gets nominated and then we shall see what we are made of.
A right to the belly and a left to the nose--the Hub of the Universe (that would be Boston) got hit twice this week. First our Olympic bid blew up and fell apart (and this is not about sports). It is about the vision of what a city can be. I honestly did not care but I heard one too many whines about "ooh the traffic will be so bad" or "ooh, it will be so disruptive". I will let Shirley Leung from the Globe summarize this: "If New York City is the city that never sleeps, Boston has become the city that never lets anything happen". Right along with that we have our Mayor suing to stop the one casino approved for Eastern Massachusetts. My take on him is this: Be careful of anyone who has "reformed" and wants the rest of us to jump on his or her
bandwagon. Mr Brady got the second punch--and again I honestly do not care. However, I am berserk that some of his fellow NFLers who possess/use drugs, abuse women/children, and drive while impaired get smaller suspensions than he gets for playing with a football (maybe). Greg Hardy got convicted in a court for god's sake of domestic assault and had his suspension reduced from 10 games to 4. and don't tell me they are different. It is the optics, baby--the optics and the values. And finally this about our fine city. Saw Trainwreck with Amy Shumer which I loved. Filmed mainly in NYC which apparently has no problem with offering tax breaks to the film industry. We have a BIG problem with it and may not continue it. My response is to refer you to Shirley.
Ends and Odds:
--A kid in a stroller wheeled by the other day (and not an infant--a kid who could clearly walk) with two parents. Had a helmet on. Can you please give me a break?
--Braintree, a suburb south of here, had a celebration to say hip hip hooray about the arrival of new wheels for a cannon displayed on its common. Seriously?
--Globe Metro section this week. Three articles in order of size. Smallest about a murder in the city. Mid size about a cop verbally abusing a driver. Largest about a "crisis" in the honey bee industry. Care to discuss priorities?
And finally: Jon Stewart has only 4 shows left and, if you have seen him this week, you know how much he will be missed. No sports section since I have said too much and what I did say kicks sports to the curb. I am off to the great towns of Western Massachusetts so you won't hear from me again until school is back in session. Enjoy your summers. Thanks to A, a reader from the Rockies, I will close with this quote from Fidel in 1973: "The world will talk to us when America has a black president and there is a pope from Latin America". Nuff said?
Sayonara.
--Let's start with Mr. Huckabee who, as a born again, has the "right" to tell us members of the tribe what the impact of the Iran deal means for Israel. He believes it brings Israelis to the door of the ovens. A not so subtle message regarding the Holocaust. Why isn't he back in bum fuck Arkansas chewing tobacco and drinking moonshine? Let's be clear that when the Huckabees of the world join up with the Sheldon Adelson's of the world, they are dangerous.
--Then we have the fine folks of Pensacola and their NASCAR relatives who refuse to put away their confederate flags because it is part of their heritage. Yup, that racist heritage symbolized by the flag. That's why given them great praise for removing the flag from state buildings is misguided. It did not change attitudes. And with leaders like Cruz, Perry, Huckabee, Graham, and all the rest, we can expect nothing in the way of enlightened leadership.
--Rick Perry would like laws allowing guns to be taken into movie theatres--this in response to the recent murders in Lafayette, Louisiana. That is a leader telling us his solution. Even Jindal did not go there.
--Florida, wouldn't you know, leads the country in the incidence of leprosy. Maybe if the migrant camps in Belle Glade were sanitary and folks there (mainly immigrants, Donald) made a living wage, this could have been avoided.
--Cincinnati being on the border qualifies in my geography as a Southern border town. No surprise then that the latest in a too long list of white police men killing African American citizens occurred there. And he lied but ooops he was wearing a video cam which captured the truth.
--One of former Governor Perry's finest (yes a white policeman) arrested an African American who protested a tad too much for him and he sent her off to jail where she committed suicide. He lied but he also had a video of the incident proving the truth.
--And the Donald may be from New York but he might as well be from the south what with his racist and downright nasty views on immigration.
--Enough--one can only hope that these Republicans will destroy each other. I secretly hope one of the crazies gets nominated and then we shall see what we are made of.
A right to the belly and a left to the nose--the Hub of the Universe (that would be Boston) got hit twice this week. First our Olympic bid blew up and fell apart (and this is not about sports). It is about the vision of what a city can be. I honestly did not care but I heard one too many whines about "ooh the traffic will be so bad" or "ooh, it will be so disruptive". I will let Shirley Leung from the Globe summarize this: "If New York City is the city that never sleeps, Boston has become the city that never lets anything happen". Right along with that we have our Mayor suing to stop the one casino approved for Eastern Massachusetts. My take on him is this: Be careful of anyone who has "reformed" and wants the rest of us to jump on his or her
bandwagon. Mr Brady got the second punch--and again I honestly do not care. However, I am berserk that some of his fellow NFLers who possess/use drugs, abuse women/children, and drive while impaired get smaller suspensions than he gets for playing with a football (maybe). Greg Hardy got convicted in a court for god's sake of domestic assault and had his suspension reduced from 10 games to 4. and don't tell me they are different. It is the optics, baby--the optics and the values. And finally this about our fine city. Saw Trainwreck with Amy Shumer which I loved. Filmed mainly in NYC which apparently has no problem with offering tax breaks to the film industry. We have a BIG problem with it and may not continue it. My response is to refer you to Shirley.
Ends and Odds:
--A kid in a stroller wheeled by the other day (and not an infant--a kid who could clearly walk) with two parents. Had a helmet on. Can you please give me a break?
--Braintree, a suburb south of here, had a celebration to say hip hip hooray about the arrival of new wheels for a cannon displayed on its common. Seriously?
--Globe Metro section this week. Three articles in order of size. Smallest about a murder in the city. Mid size about a cop verbally abusing a driver. Largest about a "crisis" in the honey bee industry. Care to discuss priorities?
And finally: Jon Stewart has only 4 shows left and, if you have seen him this week, you know how much he will be missed. No sports section since I have said too much and what I did say kicks sports to the curb. I am off to the great towns of Western Massachusetts so you won't hear from me again until school is back in session. Enjoy your summers. Thanks to A, a reader from the Rockies, I will close with this quote from Fidel in 1973: "The world will talk to us when America has a black president and there is a pope from Latin America". Nuff said?
Sayonara.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
THERE IS A REASON THEY CALL IT DIPLOMACY, YOU FOOLS
Yup, the deal with Iran is neither ideal nor perfect--but it is a deal and it is better than no deal. And who cares if the heads of every Republican candidate explode anyhow--there is nothing inside their heads except air. They have no new ideas and increasingly are marginalizing themselves and I don't care about polls in NH showing how well the Donald is doing--him with the hair and his despicable comments about Mexican immigrants. Jon Stewart tore him a new one right after that and it was terrific. A great satirical piece by Andy Borowitz (not sure where it got posted) about how Obama is eliminating our enemies (Iran, Cuba) with this diplomacy thing and how awful it will be if we have no one to fight with. Benny Netanyahu is messing with our politics again and hates this deal but does love all the financial and military support we provide. He should just shut the fuck up and make some sort of deal himself--with the Palestinians. He is like the Republicans--a head empty of ideas and a mouth full of negative comments about Obama.
ITEMS:
--No one should applaud or praise the Governor or be thankful for the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse. Nine Black people died and that fucking flag should have been removed by enlightened politicians a long time ago. Nine people died and they had to have a debate over the flag's removal. Nine people died.
--Speaking of that medieval area, the Governor of Alabama is a M.D.--a dermatologist. But he refuses to allow any expansion of medicaid because he does not like the Affordable Care Act even though the feds pick up the lion's share of any expansion. Just cannot stand those poor folks who do not know how to live healthy lives.
--On to North Carolina. Three Muslim students were murdered seemingly over a parking space dispute but really about a crazed neighbor deciding they were Muslims and deserved to die. Great article about these bright young people in a recent New Yorker.
--Unemployment is down to the lowest it has been in 7 years--not a peep from the Republicans about this success since clearly Obama had something to do with it..
--We all KNEW the Cos did something and that he was lying through his teeth. He needs a good kick to the curb and maybe a bit of prison time.
--If it were not so pathetic, it would be funny. Those bright lights senators Cruz and Rubio do not like the deal with Cuba (and now we are up to 5 Southern states) and will block any attempts to establish an embassy in Havana. Saw an article some place that basically says demographics are not on the side of these weird Republicans. People of color are slowly but surely becoming the majority in some of these southern states.
--Greece is so screwed up, I can barely understand the situation there. I do understand they hate Merkel who is one tough customer.
--Chris Christie for President!! If you have a bridge in your state, you may want to think twice about electing him.
--As a transition, two semi-sports items. First, did everyone see Abby Wambach plant a big fat kiss on the lips of her wife after the U.S. victory. It was amazing that Fox let it be shown and further amazing that it was no big deal. Would not have happened in 1999. Then there is the NFL which daily has players arrested for DUI, weapons charges, domestic abuse, child abuse and, in our state, murder. Greg Hardy, convicted in a court of domestic violence, got his suspension reduced to 4 games. That is the same suspension Brady got for squeezing footballs. It really is beyond words.
SPORTS TALK
--The U.S. women were wonderful. Plus that whole tournament and the play of the athletes makes me like women's soccer better than men's. Much fewer phony falls and players writhing on the grass only to be up and going after 2 minutes. I feel the same way about women's ice hockey.
--Anyone go to Vegas last January and put money down on the Yanks being in first place on July 4th? If you did, you are far brighter than me. Now I am not sure they can take it all the way (I kind of like Toronto and Baltimore) but they sure do have the best bullpen in the AL.
Sayonara
ITEMS:
--No one should applaud or praise the Governor or be thankful for the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse. Nine Black people died and that fucking flag should have been removed by enlightened politicians a long time ago. Nine people died and they had to have a debate over the flag's removal. Nine people died.
--Speaking of that medieval area, the Governor of Alabama is a M.D.--a dermatologist. But he refuses to allow any expansion of medicaid because he does not like the Affordable Care Act even though the feds pick up the lion's share of any expansion. Just cannot stand those poor folks who do not know how to live healthy lives.
--On to North Carolina. Three Muslim students were murdered seemingly over a parking space dispute but really about a crazed neighbor deciding they were Muslims and deserved to die. Great article about these bright young people in a recent New Yorker.
--Unemployment is down to the lowest it has been in 7 years--not a peep from the Republicans about this success since clearly Obama had something to do with it..
--We all KNEW the Cos did something and that he was lying through his teeth. He needs a good kick to the curb and maybe a bit of prison time.
--If it were not so pathetic, it would be funny. Those bright lights senators Cruz and Rubio do not like the deal with Cuba (and now we are up to 5 Southern states) and will block any attempts to establish an embassy in Havana. Saw an article some place that basically says demographics are not on the side of these weird Republicans. People of color are slowly but surely becoming the majority in some of these southern states.
--Greece is so screwed up, I can barely understand the situation there. I do understand they hate Merkel who is one tough customer.
--Chris Christie for President!! If you have a bridge in your state, you may want to think twice about electing him.
--As a transition, two semi-sports items. First, did everyone see Abby Wambach plant a big fat kiss on the lips of her wife after the U.S. victory. It was amazing that Fox let it be shown and further amazing that it was no big deal. Would not have happened in 1999. Then there is the NFL which daily has players arrested for DUI, weapons charges, domestic abuse, child abuse and, in our state, murder. Greg Hardy, convicted in a court of domestic violence, got his suspension reduced to 4 games. That is the same suspension Brady got for squeezing footballs. It really is beyond words.
SPORTS TALK
--The U.S. women were wonderful. Plus that whole tournament and the play of the athletes makes me like women's soccer better than men's. Much fewer phony falls and players writhing on the grass only to be up and going after 2 minutes. I feel the same way about women's ice hockey.
--Anyone go to Vegas last January and put money down on the Yanks being in first place on July 4th? If you did, you are far brighter than me. Now I am not sure they can take it all the way (I kind of like Toronto and Baltimore) but they sure do have the best bullpen in the AL.
Sayonara
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)