That would be John Boehner and Eric Cantor the new leaders of the U.S. House. I already was predicting how awful it was going to be seeing these two on a regular basis but in a few short days, they have already exceeded my worst fears. Let's roll back and/or eliminate health care as a start. And then roll back or eliminate anything which helps the poor, immigrants, kids--but protects those who elected us some of whom are poor immigrants with children.
My hindsight being as perfect as yours, I still think the best approach to health care would have been the following words from Obama: "Here is Medicaid and here is Medicare. Both allow management by private insurers. Our new health care system will allow you to be in one or the other of those groups. I will delegate Secretary Sibelius responsibility to come up with regulations." The bill was in fact too complicated and too long even if it is correct. My other criticism of the Prez is that he has been too nice in defeat. Still yakking about bi-partisanship when for the next two years, the Republicans are going to do everything they can to insure his defeat in 2012. They will not play nice especially since they believe their obstructionism of the last two years was rewarded. And those of us serious about a two state solution involving Israel will need some tape for Mr. Cantor's mouth who will be the lead apologist for Israel.
Then we have this woman interviewed by the Globe after the election. She was "proud" of the results here and proud to live in Massachusetts. This guy Walsh from Abington who ran the whole thing for the Democrats should be hired again to go after Scottie. Plus Deval has not been so nicey nice (like the Prez) with his opponent. Hasn't met with him and is not sure he will. He has bee justifiably feisty. Good for him and thanks to Cahill for siphoning some votes off of Baker. Maybe Charlie can go to the Kennedy School whee a lot of ex-pols hide out until they get some fat offers. And I loved every angry word out of Barney's mouth.
Can someone please tell me what Russ Feingold did wrong? He got clobbered out there in Wisconsin which is normally more or less a liberal state. This could have been much worse--Washington, Colorado, and West Virginia were squeakers. Losing them would have been disastrous. I still believe running away from Obama as many Dems did was wrong and chicken shit. They should have run forcefully with his congressional victories and not been so shy about it. But what do I know?
Not one Halloweener for us. Saving millions on calories and dollars not buying any candy. It is, however, Barbara's national holiday so she went with Oliver and Lilli to trick or treat in Brookline--I watched the Pats.
SPORTS
Speaking of which, they looked invincible beating the Vikings and then threw a stinker yesterday which exposed all their flaws--especially the passivity of their offense in the first half. And Wes Welker is not the answer to their kicking game. If Gostokowski is out for awhile, they better find someone. Brady looks off and I am not one of those big moss fans but some receiver needs to step up and get free.
Richrod out there in Ann Arbor celebrated his triple OT win like he won the national championship. Their defense sucks. You don't get 676 (!) yards in total offense and still give up 65 points. Let him go.
Sooner or later, Rajon Rondo will come back to earth but right now he is playing out of his mind. And still forces things a bit much. This Turkish guy (from Istanbul!)is looking good and Marquis Daniels seems to have undergone some sort of transplant. The bench is much better than last years and Garnett is jumping like before his injury. Not sure they beat Miami or the Lakers but last nights game in Oklahoma was a strong one.
That's about it. Good luck, Charles.
Sayonara.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
A TURKISH TRAVELOGUE: INCISIVE, INSIGHTFUL, AND NOT OBJECTIVE
So I know some of you have those special eyeglasses which allow you to look into the computer and see me. Some others have that special camera gizmo which allows you to do the same thing. For those of you who cannot see me, I am sitting here at the desk playing with the tassle on my fez as I puff madly on my hookah and re-arrange my caftan which is itching like hell. What ever--here are some thoguhts/facts/opinions about our recent trip to Turkey. Bet you missed me.
-Before we went to Venice, no one told me Venice was an island and had no cars. I had to discover that for myself. Likewise, none of you told me 90% of Turkey's land is in Asia. I have been to Asia is now something I can boast about much like I just snuck in the fact that I also have been in Italy.
-99% of Turkey is Muslim. A friend told me before we left that the most secular part of the country is the military and that the military keeps "the lid" on any extremist tendencies.
-Did you know that in the 1920's thee was a poplulation exchange: Turks living in Greece were exchanged for Greeks living in Turkey. Unfortunatley, that sometimes meant fisherman landed on farms and had to learn farming. But large numbers of folks were involved.
-We are in a cab on a narrow one way Istanbul street. Our driver comes to the end of the street where he must make another turn onto another one way street ( a right turn). He prefers, however, going left and to accomplish that trick, he gets out of the cab and proceeds to direct the traffic on that one way street (traffic which included a police car). Meanwhile, Barbara and I are sitting in the cab listening to the honks of the cars behind us. Those drivers get out to yell at our cabby until he gets back in and does make the illegal left. Point is: don't let anyone ever tell you how bad Boston drivers are; Turkish cab drivers are the worst.
-The Great Bazaar is stupendous and overwhelming but we liked the Spice market just as much. Aisles and aisles of spices piled in in an array of colors and smells.
-The country is the second largest in Europe after Russia--even though only 10% is in Europe. Point is, it is huge.
-The Turkish soccer team lost twice while we were there--once to Germany (expected) and once to Azerbajan (not expected). Front page news in every Turkish daily and there are many dailies in Istanbul not just two or three. Including one in English.
-In the most rural of villages we visited, everyone has a dish, everyone has a solar panel for hot water not heat, and everyone is yakking on their cell phone.
-No one has heard of decaf coffee or margarine.
-Each of the 3 guides we used took us to their "special" rug factory. I have to say the rugs were beautiful and if not for Barbara, I would be expecting a big shipment any minute now. They all had little guys to run the carpets in, lay them out, and show them. Some even offered us tea.
-Drank more tea than I have ever had in my life. In these little glassess with those "old fahsioned" sugar cubes.
-Dont want to be too "America is the best"--but our dentists are better than theirs.
-And, no thanks, I don't want mayo on everything I eat.
-Istanbul is aplit by the Bosporos Straits and that waterway further separates the country into a European side and an Asian side. Turkey borders Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
-So we are in a tourist trap of a wine shop when up pulls a big old tourist bus full of Syrians mostly women. They get off the bus, enter the shop, and seemingly go berserk buying shit. These were "modern" Muslim women all bejeweled, made up, and smoking like fiends.
-Speaking of smoking, most restaurants in Istanbul ban it but once you move into the country all bets are off and not just about smoking. The country becomes more "traditional" (meaning more religiously conservative) the further east you go.
-In Bodrum, a resort city on the Aegean, almost every sailboat in the marina was wodden and gorgeous.
-The level of sophistication of the people who built and lived in some of these ancient (and recently excavated) cities is remarkable. Running water anyone? Libraries? Hospitlas? Toilets? Just incredible.
-During WWII, the Turkish government actively sought out Jewish European intellectuals and scientists both to save them from the Nazis and to staff their universities. They saved many-A great trip with a few minor hiccups along the way and two ugly layovers At Heathrow. And Steffen, by the way, those couches you said they had--nope.
SPORTS TALK
--Danny emiled me scores via Barbara's blackberry regularly--what a reporter he was. So I was wrong about my Yanks but right on about Michigan. RichRod out there in Ann Arbor is on the verge of another mediocre if not losing season. He should be sent to his room and join AJ Burnett and Javier Vazquez. Or kicked to the curb or both.
-I am writing this on the verge of game 6 with the Rangers. I'm now thinking that even if the Yanks win tonight, Cliff Lee has looked unhittable. On the other hand, I don't trust the Texas middle relief and if the Rangers can be forced to use them, there is a chance.
-Kudos to the Bruins for playing so many young energetic kids. I hope they can sustain it. And they are fun to watch.
-Ditto to the Pats. If you remember, I believed the more the defense played, the better they would get. and they too are very very young including what could be the two best young safeties in the NFL.
-Not sure about the Celtics given their age but I do hope they crush Miami next week just so the folks down South start worrying right away.
That's about it.
Sayonara
-Before we went to Venice, no one told me Venice was an island and had no cars. I had to discover that for myself. Likewise, none of you told me 90% of Turkey's land is in Asia. I have been to Asia is now something I can boast about much like I just snuck in the fact that I also have been in Italy.
-99% of Turkey is Muslim. A friend told me before we left that the most secular part of the country is the military and that the military keeps "the lid" on any extremist tendencies.
-Did you know that in the 1920's thee was a poplulation exchange: Turks living in Greece were exchanged for Greeks living in Turkey. Unfortunatley, that sometimes meant fisherman landed on farms and had to learn farming. But large numbers of folks were involved.
-We are in a cab on a narrow one way Istanbul street. Our driver comes to the end of the street where he must make another turn onto another one way street ( a right turn). He prefers, however, going left and to accomplish that trick, he gets out of the cab and proceeds to direct the traffic on that one way street (traffic which included a police car). Meanwhile, Barbara and I are sitting in the cab listening to the honks of the cars behind us. Those drivers get out to yell at our cabby until he gets back in and does make the illegal left. Point is: don't let anyone ever tell you how bad Boston drivers are; Turkish cab drivers are the worst.
-The Great Bazaar is stupendous and overwhelming but we liked the Spice market just as much. Aisles and aisles of spices piled in in an array of colors and smells.
-The country is the second largest in Europe after Russia--even though only 10% is in Europe. Point is, it is huge.
-The Turkish soccer team lost twice while we were there--once to Germany (expected) and once to Azerbajan (not expected). Front page news in every Turkish daily and there are many dailies in Istanbul not just two or three. Including one in English.
-In the most rural of villages we visited, everyone has a dish, everyone has a solar panel for hot water not heat, and everyone is yakking on their cell phone.
-No one has heard of decaf coffee or margarine.
-Each of the 3 guides we used took us to their "special" rug factory. I have to say the rugs were beautiful and if not for Barbara, I would be expecting a big shipment any minute now. They all had little guys to run the carpets in, lay them out, and show them. Some even offered us tea.
-Drank more tea than I have ever had in my life. In these little glassess with those "old fahsioned" sugar cubes.
-Dont want to be too "America is the best"--but our dentists are better than theirs.
-And, no thanks, I don't want mayo on everything I eat.
-Istanbul is aplit by the Bosporos Straits and that waterway further separates the country into a European side and an Asian side. Turkey borders Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
-So we are in a tourist trap of a wine shop when up pulls a big old tourist bus full of Syrians mostly women. They get off the bus, enter the shop, and seemingly go berserk buying shit. These were "modern" Muslim women all bejeweled, made up, and smoking like fiends.
-Speaking of smoking, most restaurants in Istanbul ban it but once you move into the country all bets are off and not just about smoking. The country becomes more "traditional" (meaning more religiously conservative) the further east you go.
-In Bodrum, a resort city on the Aegean, almost every sailboat in the marina was wodden and gorgeous.
-The level of sophistication of the people who built and lived in some of these ancient (and recently excavated) cities is remarkable. Running water anyone? Libraries? Hospitlas? Toilets? Just incredible.
-During WWII, the Turkish government actively sought out Jewish European intellectuals and scientists both to save them from the Nazis and to staff their universities. They saved many-A great trip with a few minor hiccups along the way and two ugly layovers At Heathrow. And Steffen, by the way, those couches you said they had--nope.
SPORTS TALK
--Danny emiled me scores via Barbara's blackberry regularly--what a reporter he was. So I was wrong about my Yanks but right on about Michigan. RichRod out there in Ann Arbor is on the verge of another mediocre if not losing season. He should be sent to his room and join AJ Burnett and Javier Vazquez. Or kicked to the curb or both.
-I am writing this on the verge of game 6 with the Rangers. I'm now thinking that even if the Yanks win tonight, Cliff Lee has looked unhittable. On the other hand, I don't trust the Texas middle relief and if the Rangers can be forced to use them, there is a chance.
-Kudos to the Bruins for playing so many young energetic kids. I hope they can sustain it. And they are fun to watch.
-Ditto to the Pats. If you remember, I believed the more the defense played, the better they would get. and they too are very very young including what could be the two best young safeties in the NFL.
-Not sure about the Celtics given their age but I do hope they crush Miami next week just so the folks down South start worrying right away.
That's about it.
Sayonara
Monday, October 4, 2010
A FEW BRIEF AND CHOICE WORDS
Barbara and I take a big silver bird tonight on our way to Istanbul. She is a fearless flyer. I am a tepid and anxious one--stomach already rumbling and now the new alerts all over Europe. Each of you should now close your eyes and give both Barbara and me kisses on both cheeks and big hugs (as in Europe) as we say fare well. SMOOCH, SMOOCH, SQUEEZE.
So Mr. Barack did the best he could and got Elizabeth Warren into a position where she will have a big role in the structure of the consumer protection agency. I guess those wonderful folks in congress would have tied her nomination up forever. Nate Silver and his voting analysis must have gotten a deal with the NY times cuz that's where you find him these days. Forget the governor's races cuz you have to be crazy to want to be a governor given the budget problems. Nate is still predicting a House run by Republicans but the gap is slightly narrower than it was. And he is predicting the Senate remains Democratic by narrow margin. He believes Boxer will win in California. What worries me is Russ Feingold is on the ropes in Wisconsin. Very scary.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT SPORTS/IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT IS
When Anna was a fanatic red flop fan in high school, I always admired her steady faith in HER team. Even in the worst of times, she was there with them. I have discovered in these last few weeks that I am not that kind of fan. The Yanks stumbled and still managed to make it into the playoffs. I jumped off their ship fast and moved onto the Pats, the Bruins, and the Celtics. My realization is that I am not just a fair weather fan but a fan of winners. Don't want to be on that boat when the losses pile up. Some of you red flop fans are like Anna. I will never be.
I don't think life will be any easier for Mr. Barack without Rahm and with a less abrasive person now in charge. I thought he was not abrasive enough and if you have been following Doonesbury, you know the theme recently has been to try and get the president to stop taking chill pills. The Republicans were bold, brassy, and gummed up things without control of the House. With control, there could be two years of stagnation. And that's just about the best scenario. I actually would love to see them try to take back health care reform now that some of the most sensible pieces have been activated.
THIS IS ABOUT SPORTS
I think Michigan will lose one of these days and I still detest their coach. But if you have not seen their qb, Dennard Robinson, whoa--he is mighty exciting. He also could get hurt very quickly since he has the ball so much of the time--he is their leading rusher in addition to being the leading passer.
I am guessing the Pats lose tonight down in Miamah. They have gotta be hoping that the defense will mature the more games they play. Otherwise it is a .500 season.
Mr. Shaughnessy wrote a good season review of the red flops and also managed to take a few swipes at Theo. Just don,t know whey he does that and what he does not like abou him. But Mr. Dan cannot quite zip it up even when he writes good pieces.
Scene in Newport where the Celtics are training: A bar on Thames street (mostly white, let's be honest). The door opens and Shaq, the other O'neal and Perk stroll in with about 10 other African American guys behind them all over 6 feet 8. Whats that like for the yachtsmen in the bar?
If I see Zdeno Chara in a European airport I will immediately attempt to reach up and shake his big hand. After all, they are in Prague this week and it is a small place!!
Yankees will surprise me if they make it to the world series. no pitching. But I will say this. Cano is the best second basemen in the game--200 hits, 100 runs , 100 rbis, 29 hrs--and less than five errors. And don't even think about telling me about Pedroia who is very good but on a different planet. In honor of Abe's approaching 100, I am rooting for SF.
That's about it. Take care of this country while we are gone and if you read the glenn beck article in this week's times, you know you need to.
Sayonara.
So Mr. Barack did the best he could and got Elizabeth Warren into a position where she will have a big role in the structure of the consumer protection agency. I guess those wonderful folks in congress would have tied her nomination up forever. Nate Silver and his voting analysis must have gotten a deal with the NY times cuz that's where you find him these days. Forget the governor's races cuz you have to be crazy to want to be a governor given the budget problems. Nate is still predicting a House run by Republicans but the gap is slightly narrower than it was. And he is predicting the Senate remains Democratic by narrow margin. He believes Boxer will win in California. What worries me is Russ Feingold is on the ropes in Wisconsin. Very scary.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT SPORTS/IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT IS
When Anna was a fanatic red flop fan in high school, I always admired her steady faith in HER team. Even in the worst of times, she was there with them. I have discovered in these last few weeks that I am not that kind of fan. The Yanks stumbled and still managed to make it into the playoffs. I jumped off their ship fast and moved onto the Pats, the Bruins, and the Celtics. My realization is that I am not just a fair weather fan but a fan of winners. Don't want to be on that boat when the losses pile up. Some of you red flop fans are like Anna. I will never be.
I don't think life will be any easier for Mr. Barack without Rahm and with a less abrasive person now in charge. I thought he was not abrasive enough and if you have been following Doonesbury, you know the theme recently has been to try and get the president to stop taking chill pills. The Republicans were bold, brassy, and gummed up things without control of the House. With control, there could be two years of stagnation. And that's just about the best scenario. I actually would love to see them try to take back health care reform now that some of the most sensible pieces have been activated.
THIS IS ABOUT SPORTS
I think Michigan will lose one of these days and I still detest their coach. But if you have not seen their qb, Dennard Robinson, whoa--he is mighty exciting. He also could get hurt very quickly since he has the ball so much of the time--he is their leading rusher in addition to being the leading passer.
I am guessing the Pats lose tonight down in Miamah. They have gotta be hoping that the defense will mature the more games they play. Otherwise it is a .500 season.
Mr. Shaughnessy wrote a good season review of the red flops and also managed to take a few swipes at Theo. Just don,t know whey he does that and what he does not like abou him. But Mr. Dan cannot quite zip it up even when he writes good pieces.
Scene in Newport where the Celtics are training: A bar on Thames street (mostly white, let's be honest). The door opens and Shaq, the other O'neal and Perk stroll in with about 10 other African American guys behind them all over 6 feet 8. Whats that like for the yachtsmen in the bar?
If I see Zdeno Chara in a European airport I will immediately attempt to reach up and shake his big hand. After all, they are in Prague this week and it is a small place!!
Yankees will surprise me if they make it to the world series. no pitching. But I will say this. Cano is the best second basemen in the game--200 hits, 100 runs , 100 rbis, 29 hrs--and less than five errors. And don't even think about telling me about Pedroia who is very good but on a different planet. In honor of Abe's approaching 100, I am rooting for SF.
That's about it. Take care of this country while we are gone and if you read the glenn beck article in this week's times, you know you need to.
Sayonara.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
MANY ANECTDOTES AND A FEW TALL TALES
This is true: Many of you may know we are going to Turkey in early October. Unless you wish to pay $30 per flight segment (and for the two of us there are 8 segments), you cannot reserve seats. So I decided to call British Air last night and whine. After a monumental wait, I get this guy on the phone and confirm my reservations. Then I ask about the seat assignment deal--he says that if I can answer a trivia question, he will get me seats. He realizes I am from Boston (don't you hate it when they know where you are calling from?)and wants to know who sits two seats away from Doc Rivers the Celtics coach on the Celtic bench. I guess Cliff Ray and was wrong--then he tells me who it is (Kevin Eastman) and that this Kevin was his coach at Washington State when he (the British Air guy) played ball there. So I say, I will tell him where that school is and where it is located if he will still keep the offer on the table. He agrees. I then tell him the school is in Pullman which is close to Spokane and the Idaho border and it is flat and full of wheat. BINGO--got my seats--all aisles for both of us on all flights. Is this a great country or what?
Don't you just love those baby kosher hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry? They are probably really bad for you but it turns out unlike a bunch of other stuff, I can eat them with no problemo. I used to wait by the kitchen doors at weddings etc. just to attack them when they came out because they were always the first to go. At our nephew's bar mitzvah, they had great food for the adults but the baby dogs were set apart and just for the kids. No way--I snuck over regularly and elbowed those kids away from the table. It was ugly but I prevailed.
Speaking of events, we went to a bar mitzvah in Delaware. I don't know about you but I always congratulate the kid and tell them they did a wonderful job even if they tripped over every Hebrew word. Well Nathan has some sort of pervasive developmental disorder (some form of autism which I truly do not understand--I especially don't understand why no one had it 50 years ago). Yet he led the service, read the Torah, and really wowed me. I was inspired by what he managed to do and MEANT it when I shook his him and told him how well he did. Worth every minute of the 8 hour return trip in driving rain!!
So Elizabeth Warren deserves the job, should get the job, but the Obamaites are afraid of a filibuster. So he might appoint her temporarily to avoid congress altogether. We really are in bad shape although last I looked, Mr. Silver of 538 still has the Dems holding onto to both houses of Congress. And of course Mitch and the boys are drawing yet another line in the sand about the tax cuts. the rich are just like you and me and deserve another break. Scottie is in full support of this position--and as i have said before, IT IS TED KENNEDY'S SEAT. unbelievable. Great article in the recent New Yorker about the house on "C" Street where a bunch of these jokers live and pray. scary is a better word than great.
I love Maine even when I go for the purpose of visiting my mother's grave. This time Barbara and Anna went with me and after our cemetery prayers, we went to York Beach for a few days and ate lobster daily. Oh my, along with shrimp and those baby dogs, lobster makes three.
SPORTS TALK
The Pats were never (as in ever) going to lose Sunday. They were under rated and the Bengals were over rated. My British Air guy and I agreed that if they are doing well after 8 games, those young kids on defense are going to be be very good. And the two cornerbacks are from those big football powers--Rutgers and UConn. And let me just say Brady has no business taking that car given his contract but----he is sooo good. The jets away will be tough but they too are over hyped and their qb is not as good as anyone thinks.
The yanks are in trouble--no hitting and one starting pitcher until Petite gets back. Bullpen has kept them in. Not sure if they can limp through this. Boo hoo for those red flops but they do have a great start on next year what with all those young guys.
Still hate Rodriquez out there in Ann Arbor. Robinson is a great qb but if they use him that much, something will fall off his body. He is getting banged on every play.
sayonara and happy new year to those who celebrate as well as having an easy fast.
Don't you just love those baby kosher hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry? They are probably really bad for you but it turns out unlike a bunch of other stuff, I can eat them with no problemo. I used to wait by the kitchen doors at weddings etc. just to attack them when they came out because they were always the first to go. At our nephew's bar mitzvah, they had great food for the adults but the baby dogs were set apart and just for the kids. No way--I snuck over regularly and elbowed those kids away from the table. It was ugly but I prevailed.
Speaking of events, we went to a bar mitzvah in Delaware. I don't know about you but I always congratulate the kid and tell them they did a wonderful job even if they tripped over every Hebrew word. Well Nathan has some sort of pervasive developmental disorder (some form of autism which I truly do not understand--I especially don't understand why no one had it 50 years ago). Yet he led the service, read the Torah, and really wowed me. I was inspired by what he managed to do and MEANT it when I shook his him and told him how well he did. Worth every minute of the 8 hour return trip in driving rain!!
So Elizabeth Warren deserves the job, should get the job, but the Obamaites are afraid of a filibuster. So he might appoint her temporarily to avoid congress altogether. We really are in bad shape although last I looked, Mr. Silver of 538 still has the Dems holding onto to both houses of Congress. And of course Mitch and the boys are drawing yet another line in the sand about the tax cuts. the rich are just like you and me and deserve another break. Scottie is in full support of this position--and as i have said before, IT IS TED KENNEDY'S SEAT. unbelievable. Great article in the recent New Yorker about the house on "C" Street where a bunch of these jokers live and pray. scary is a better word than great.
I love Maine even when I go for the purpose of visiting my mother's grave. This time Barbara and Anna went with me and after our cemetery prayers, we went to York Beach for a few days and ate lobster daily. Oh my, along with shrimp and those baby dogs, lobster makes three.
SPORTS TALK
The Pats were never (as in ever) going to lose Sunday. They were under rated and the Bengals were over rated. My British Air guy and I agreed that if they are doing well after 8 games, those young kids on defense are going to be be very good. And the two cornerbacks are from those big football powers--Rutgers and UConn. And let me just say Brady has no business taking that car given his contract but----he is sooo good. The jets away will be tough but they too are over hyped and their qb is not as good as anyone thinks.
The yanks are in trouble--no hitting and one starting pitcher until Petite gets back. Bullpen has kept them in. Not sure if they can limp through this. Boo hoo for those red flops but they do have a great start on next year what with all those young guys.
Still hate Rodriquez out there in Ann Arbor. Robinson is a great qb but if they use him that much, something will fall off his body. He is getting banged on every play.
sayonara and happy new year to those who celebrate as well as having an easy fast.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"A METAPHYSICAL WRESTLING MATCH"
First this title: It is in caps because it is stolen. Barbara and I were at Jacob's Pillow this past Saturday and heard a pre-dance talk. During the talk I had one of those "A-HA" moments. I know that rabbis drive me crazy when they believe they need to mediate my relationship to God--whomever that might be. Sermons especially make me nudgy. The a-ha moment this week was that I realized I don't like any kind of mediation--not just rabbinic. So, in the course of the speech, this person used the above captioned phrase to describe the dance we were about to see. I wanted to fall out of my seat--but being mature and all I kept it together and got to the point of actually having the following insight--I want to enjoy the dance or the music or the temple service without having the professional tell me or interpret for me what it is I am about to see or hear. I want it unfiltered on my terms not theirs.
Moving along. A friend reminded me of the website fivethirtyeight.com--this is the very nerdy guy's website (name is Nate Silver I think) who predicted every state accurately in the 2008 presidential election. We need to keep an eye on the website as we approach November. Right now, for instance, he is predicting that the Dems will hold onto majorities in both the House and Senate. Specifically, he even has Barbara Boxer beating Carly Fiorina in California. What is especially interesting for you past or present Floridians is that he has Charley Crist beating that tea bagger Rubio. Anyway, check him out.
Barbara is in Pennsylvania with her brother and sister helping break up their mother's apartment. Which is very important to them and has had the following unexpected impact on me. I get up every day with her and we breakfast together in the salon. In her absence, I have found myself sleeping later which means it is now almost lunch time and the morning is nearly over--feels very odd. One of my readers who refuses to give feedback electronically has given me feedback in person. Wants to know how I spend my time and other factoids about a retiree's life--the last few sentences are for you and Gus, my friend.
No word on Elizabeth Warren and I am not sure how to interpret that--either Geithner is killing her chances or Barney and the boys are fighting hard to get her in that consumer position. Obama and his crew have us over a barrel (us meaning any sort of person even slightly to the left of center)--he knows we will vote for him so he is really going after the middle. I would fire Summers along with Geithner but it will never happen since Wall Street loves them both and Obama needs Wall Street.
So the casino bill died and the gutless wonders escaped town without even voting on it stuck in some sort of stalemate. Meanwhile, the lottery had its best year ever. One of you suggests that if the lottery were new and just now coming up for approval, you would vote against it. As my mother would say, you cannot get blood out of a rock. And you cannot get revenue out of taxes since those same gutless wonders will not increase them. So huh--where does it come from? I'm over it until the next time!!
I know how important this is to you so I will share--I am doing quite well (thanks) avoiding all talking head shows. Withdrawal without any meds.
SPORTS TALK
The Yanks have stopped hitting and have only two consistent starting pitchers--cc and hughes. Then they have riviera and actually may have solved their bullpen woes by getting rid of joba. The hits are not coming but the rays are and they are real. Also (hello, up there in Canada)watch out for the jays who are very hot and this guy bautista almost has 40 home runs. Not sure about the red flops. They certainly are within reach but have big starting pitcher problems after bucholz and lester. and dont tell me about beckett and lackey--they are the equivalent of vazquez and burnett on the yanks.
rich rodriquez and the Michigan president spent a day in Seattle having their hands slapped by the NCAA--I hope they kick the shit out of him and maybe he will be fired--I'm even willing for those mighty wolverines to have another losing season if it leads to his dismissal. he is lucky he is not in jail.
More later. Go Pats. Sayonara
Moving along. A friend reminded me of the website fivethirtyeight.com--this is the very nerdy guy's website (name is Nate Silver I think) who predicted every state accurately in the 2008 presidential election. We need to keep an eye on the website as we approach November. Right now, for instance, he is predicting that the Dems will hold onto majorities in both the House and Senate. Specifically, he even has Barbara Boxer beating Carly Fiorina in California. What is especially interesting for you past or present Floridians is that he has Charley Crist beating that tea bagger Rubio. Anyway, check him out.
Barbara is in Pennsylvania with her brother and sister helping break up their mother's apartment. Which is very important to them and has had the following unexpected impact on me. I get up every day with her and we breakfast together in the salon. In her absence, I have found myself sleeping later which means it is now almost lunch time and the morning is nearly over--feels very odd. One of my readers who refuses to give feedback electronically has given me feedback in person. Wants to know how I spend my time and other factoids about a retiree's life--the last few sentences are for you and Gus, my friend.
No word on Elizabeth Warren and I am not sure how to interpret that--either Geithner is killing her chances or Barney and the boys are fighting hard to get her in that consumer position. Obama and his crew have us over a barrel (us meaning any sort of person even slightly to the left of center)--he knows we will vote for him so he is really going after the middle. I would fire Summers along with Geithner but it will never happen since Wall Street loves them both and Obama needs Wall Street.
So the casino bill died and the gutless wonders escaped town without even voting on it stuck in some sort of stalemate. Meanwhile, the lottery had its best year ever. One of you suggests that if the lottery were new and just now coming up for approval, you would vote against it. As my mother would say, you cannot get blood out of a rock. And you cannot get revenue out of taxes since those same gutless wonders will not increase them. So huh--where does it come from? I'm over it until the next time!!
I know how important this is to you so I will share--I am doing quite well (thanks) avoiding all talking head shows. Withdrawal without any meds.
SPORTS TALK
The Yanks have stopped hitting and have only two consistent starting pitchers--cc and hughes. Then they have riviera and actually may have solved their bullpen woes by getting rid of joba. The hits are not coming but the rays are and they are real. Also (hello, up there in Canada)watch out for the jays who are very hot and this guy bautista almost has 40 home runs. Not sure about the red flops. They certainly are within reach but have big starting pitcher problems after bucholz and lester. and dont tell me about beckett and lackey--they are the equivalent of vazquez and burnett on the yanks.
rich rodriquez and the Michigan president spent a day in Seattle having their hands slapped by the NCAA--I hope they kick the shit out of him and maybe he will be fired--I'm even willing for those mighty wolverines to have another losing season if it leads to his dismissal. he is lucky he is not in jail.
More later. Go Pats. Sayonara
Monday, August 2, 2010
NO DECISION IS A DECISION--OF SORTS
So one of the columnists in today's Globe asked the following question: If slots are so bad, why don't we also get rid of the lottery? Sound familiar? Hate to say I am all knowing or so so brilliant but my thoughts exactly in one of these blogs a while back. I think this is what has just happened on Beacon Hill with respect to casinos. The gov said no slots. The House wants two sites for slots not necessarily tied to casinos. The Senate (being oh so magnanimous) is willing to consider one site for slots. Neither the governor nor the Senate want to simply hand over the key to slots to existing race tracks--they want competitive bids. The house wants to give the slot business to existing race tracks--preferably the ones in the district of the Speaker of the House. I admit I may have some details wrong but I believe this is the gist. If so, here is what I think--didn't we elect these people to vote and make decisions. We did not elect them to moan and groan about how tough this is. Plus liberals (presumably like me) are described as against all forms of this gambling business. While worker bees especially the unions are in favor. Oh so simple and oh so simply in error. Sure there are jobs involved but there is also revenue for cities and towns involved and implicitly this kind of vote is a hell of a lot easier than a vote to increase taxes which is another source of the revenue. And now they have gone home and publicly are refusing to come back until after Labor day. I think they should just stay home and shut up.
In other VERY IMPORTANT NEWS:
I understand (from the pundits) the President should not have gone to Maine for 3 days because he should have gone to the Gulf region. Can he not do anything without Fox and the other right wing big mouths taking him to task. Get ready--he will also be on the Vineyard but I think he has agreed to hold Bobby Jindal's hand for a day or two also.
What I don't understand about Mr. Obama is why he won't just appoint Elizabeth Warren to that consumer position just approved in the Wall Street bill. If you have seen her on either Charlie Rose or Jon Stewart, you know she is both brilliant and funny. She apparently is not a fave of Geithner who I think needs to go back to New Yawk. Just saw Capitalism--A Love Story which is not one of Michael Moore's best but does skewer Mr. Geithner pretty badly for his non oversight of Wall Street when he was at the Fed. This Warren woman is just wonderful. And I do think there will be a message in Obama's decision for all of us--one way or the other.
Does anyone care about John Kerry's yacht and where he berths it. He and Teresa have more money than god and obviously can pay the taxes. The Globe did all of us a great service by getting so worked up about it.
Liev Schreiber paid a visit to Jon Stewart this past week. They spent much time discussing how they were both "Semites" and what that meant. Stewart is very good about being "out" there in a Jewish sense. Makes for some very funny stuff--Schreiber could not even plug his movie. The other big item on Stewart's agenda was the oil spill and his outrage at BP. As I have said, I get my TV news from him now and skip the yakkers.
Curt Schilling (no this is not about baseball) got 38 million buckaroos to move his video game company to Little Rhody. Has not made one thing yet--glad the wise state of Mass. passed on this great opportunity. Hope he takes his bloody sock with him (A little baseball!).
Babs and I took our second walk on the Greenway--for those who don't know it, it is the park land covering up the Big Dig. Still not fully landscaped or developed because of the economy but we walked 3/4 of it and took a left to the Institute of Contemporary Art. Saw a wonderful exhibit (Ledray is the guys name) involving miniature replicas of clothing--but identical to regular sized stuff. So a wall full of 35 hats--each the size of my fist but perfectly identical to real hats. All made by hand and from found objects. Anna says he is coming to the Whitney in NYC soon.
SPORTS
Gotta love Wes Welker--just also gotta worry someone will hit that knee and it will be all over. I do believe Brady and Kraft will get the deal done.
I'm the one who does not talk about baseball until after July 4th--well lets go. I am a bit worried about my Yanks who seem to have stopped hitting just at the time that they have really gotten good pitching. Except of course for Joba who is a lunatic that I would not trust in any tense situation. Logan and Robertson seem to have replaced him as set up men for Mariano. And if Tampa keeps getting this kind of pitching, watch out. I also have to admit the red flops are not out of it but they cannot keep waiting for 9th inning heroics. Plus their bullpen is as shaky as the yankees.
Addendum: I find myself perversely attracted to Madmen though I cannot stand any of the characters. Don especially stirs up very ugly memories of my father.
That's it. Sayonara.
In other VERY IMPORTANT NEWS:
I understand (from the pundits) the President should not have gone to Maine for 3 days because he should have gone to the Gulf region. Can he not do anything without Fox and the other right wing big mouths taking him to task. Get ready--he will also be on the Vineyard but I think he has agreed to hold Bobby Jindal's hand for a day or two also.
What I don't understand about Mr. Obama is why he won't just appoint Elizabeth Warren to that consumer position just approved in the Wall Street bill. If you have seen her on either Charlie Rose or Jon Stewart, you know she is both brilliant and funny. She apparently is not a fave of Geithner who I think needs to go back to New Yawk. Just saw Capitalism--A Love Story which is not one of Michael Moore's best but does skewer Mr. Geithner pretty badly for his non oversight of Wall Street when he was at the Fed. This Warren woman is just wonderful. And I do think there will be a message in Obama's decision for all of us--one way or the other.
Does anyone care about John Kerry's yacht and where he berths it. He and Teresa have more money than god and obviously can pay the taxes. The Globe did all of us a great service by getting so worked up about it.
Liev Schreiber paid a visit to Jon Stewart this past week. They spent much time discussing how they were both "Semites" and what that meant. Stewart is very good about being "out" there in a Jewish sense. Makes for some very funny stuff--Schreiber could not even plug his movie. The other big item on Stewart's agenda was the oil spill and his outrage at BP. As I have said, I get my TV news from him now and skip the yakkers.
Curt Schilling (no this is not about baseball) got 38 million buckaroos to move his video game company to Little Rhody. Has not made one thing yet--glad the wise state of Mass. passed on this great opportunity. Hope he takes his bloody sock with him (A little baseball!).
Babs and I took our second walk on the Greenway--for those who don't know it, it is the park land covering up the Big Dig. Still not fully landscaped or developed because of the economy but we walked 3/4 of it and took a left to the Institute of Contemporary Art. Saw a wonderful exhibit (Ledray is the guys name) involving miniature replicas of clothing--but identical to regular sized stuff. So a wall full of 35 hats--each the size of my fist but perfectly identical to real hats. All made by hand and from found objects. Anna says he is coming to the Whitney in NYC soon.
SPORTS
Gotta love Wes Welker--just also gotta worry someone will hit that knee and it will be all over. I do believe Brady and Kraft will get the deal done.
I'm the one who does not talk about baseball until after July 4th--well lets go. I am a bit worried about my Yanks who seem to have stopped hitting just at the time that they have really gotten good pitching. Except of course for Joba who is a lunatic that I would not trust in any tense situation. Logan and Robertson seem to have replaced him as set up men for Mariano. And if Tampa keeps getting this kind of pitching, watch out. I also have to admit the red flops are not out of it but they cannot keep waiting for 9th inning heroics. Plus their bullpen is as shaky as the yankees.
Addendum: I find myself perversely attracted to Madmen though I cannot stand any of the characters. Don especially stirs up very ugly memories of my father.
That's it. Sayonara.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
I CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME FIGURE IT OUT
So, I swear I started this at 10 this morning and was nearly finished until I hit some screwy key and the whole thing vanished. I either need a plastic surgeon specializing in the slenderizing of fat fingers or someone to tell me where in the ether this shit goes. I have no fucking clue and it was quite good.
Yesterday, I needed to buy some Doritos for our nephew who is coming tomorrow. I get in line right behind a rather scruffily character (scruffily unlike me)who is buying up lottery tickets--I mean he bought $42 worth because I overheard the cashier. Then in today's paper, there is the usual article about how stuck the legislature is about casinos and slots and whoa is me because these folks are just wringing their hands and don't know what to do. As I have repeatedly said to you, my kind readers, the lottery has worse odds than slots and we have already crossed that bridge and entered the evil empire. I have my own remedy. Pass the casino only bill and eliminate the lottery for the same reason no one likes slots. Don't you think some cities and towns might literally go belly up. In any case, these folks think they were elected to make easy decisions--like no texting in cars which has just been banned--that's a "DUH" decision. This is hard and I just wish they would make it and get it over with.
Scotty Brown had another tough decision to make and finally decided to support the financial reform bill which likely does not go far enough. But he managed to get some concessions out of Barney. He acts like he is really thoughtful but is basically just down at the trough with the rest--am I supposed to feel better that he took care of two big Massachusetts corporations at the expense of a tougher bill?
Senator Jefferson Davis Sessions from Alabama (and I did not make his name up--he just conveniently forgets to use his full name)who was rejected by his current Senate colleagues for a Federal judgeship because of his thoughts about race--this guy decided to hold up Elena Kagan's nomination because he is just not comfortable--just for a week mind you and in the face of the fact that she will get confirmed anyhow.
The Globe gave way too much notice on its editorial page to the crazy rantings of that anti-Semite Mel Gibson. He should be ignored and kicked to the curb publicity wise. I hereby vow never to watch another of his movies.
Harvey Pekar died. He was the subject of one of my all time favorite movies--"American Splendor". He's the guy who worked with R.Crumb on those comics (name forgotten). I believe he did the words and Crumb did the drawings. Paul Giamatti (son of Bart, a Commissioner of baseball for too short a time and former President of Yale) played him in the movie and I thought it was wonderful.
Saw "The Kids are All Right". I came away believing that if you go into it with an open mind, you see it as a movie about families, relationships, and adolescents. Otherwise, pro or con, you can get ugly about it. I loved it and actually thought the kids were right on.
BRIEF SPORTS TALK
We Americans suck at soccer. Tough for us I know; but once I watched the Spaniards play the Dutch, I knew we could not compete with them. Oh sure, ever so often we can upset one of them (like that lucky win over England) but in total, we just don't have the players. Those Spanish players were like dancing fleas--moving, moving, moving/nipping, nipping, nipping/then bang a goal-all without Torres who is probably one of the best players in the world.
Great article about Big Papi in the recent New Yorker. He apparently has felt overly criticized by the the Boston media and not coincidentally opened up to the guy from the New Yorker.
My Yanks better find someone other than Joba to set up Mariano. If they do, its lights out.
Here's what I think about the LeBron business. He is like so many other sports figures and politicians--egos as big as this room. I could not care less about his signing. And if I am Chris Bosh, I better get used to being the third person on a two man bicycle--he may never touch the ball until he gets rebounds from other two. Only one ball last I looked.
That's it. And no mis-hit keys!!
Sayonara
Yesterday, I needed to buy some Doritos for our nephew who is coming tomorrow. I get in line right behind a rather scruffily character (scruffily unlike me)who is buying up lottery tickets--I mean he bought $42 worth because I overheard the cashier. Then in today's paper, there is the usual article about how stuck the legislature is about casinos and slots and whoa is me because these folks are just wringing their hands and don't know what to do. As I have repeatedly said to you, my kind readers, the lottery has worse odds than slots and we have already crossed that bridge and entered the evil empire. I have my own remedy. Pass the casino only bill and eliminate the lottery for the same reason no one likes slots. Don't you think some cities and towns might literally go belly up. In any case, these folks think they were elected to make easy decisions--like no texting in cars which has just been banned--that's a "DUH" decision. This is hard and I just wish they would make it and get it over with.
Scotty Brown had another tough decision to make and finally decided to support the financial reform bill which likely does not go far enough. But he managed to get some concessions out of Barney. He acts like he is really thoughtful but is basically just down at the trough with the rest--am I supposed to feel better that he took care of two big Massachusetts corporations at the expense of a tougher bill?
Senator Jefferson Davis Sessions from Alabama (and I did not make his name up--he just conveniently forgets to use his full name)who was rejected by his current Senate colleagues for a Federal judgeship because of his thoughts about race--this guy decided to hold up Elena Kagan's nomination because he is just not comfortable--just for a week mind you and in the face of the fact that she will get confirmed anyhow.
The Globe gave way too much notice on its editorial page to the crazy rantings of that anti-Semite Mel Gibson. He should be ignored and kicked to the curb publicity wise. I hereby vow never to watch another of his movies.
Harvey Pekar died. He was the subject of one of my all time favorite movies--"American Splendor". He's the guy who worked with R.Crumb on those comics (name forgotten). I believe he did the words and Crumb did the drawings. Paul Giamatti (son of Bart, a Commissioner of baseball for too short a time and former President of Yale) played him in the movie and I thought it was wonderful.
Saw "The Kids are All Right". I came away believing that if you go into it with an open mind, you see it as a movie about families, relationships, and adolescents. Otherwise, pro or con, you can get ugly about it. I loved it and actually thought the kids were right on.
BRIEF SPORTS TALK
We Americans suck at soccer. Tough for us I know; but once I watched the Spaniards play the Dutch, I knew we could not compete with them. Oh sure, ever so often we can upset one of them (like that lucky win over England) but in total, we just don't have the players. Those Spanish players were like dancing fleas--moving, moving, moving/nipping, nipping, nipping/then bang a goal-all without Torres who is probably one of the best players in the world.
Great article about Big Papi in the recent New Yorker. He apparently has felt overly criticized by the the Boston media and not coincidentally opened up to the guy from the New Yorker.
My Yanks better find someone other than Joba to set up Mariano. If they do, its lights out.
Here's what I think about the LeBron business. He is like so many other sports figures and politicians--egos as big as this room. I could not care less about his signing. And if I am Chris Bosh, I better get used to being the third person on a two man bicycle--he may never touch the ball until he gets rebounds from other two. Only one ball last I looked.
That's it. And no mis-hit keys!!
Sayonara
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