HATERS HATE

(A cautionary note:  This might be especially long since I am just overflowing with important ideas/thoughts.)

I have few words in my vocabulary to describe the horror of the murders in Charleston.  I refer you to Jon Stewart who devoted his monologue that evening to the murders and to Charles Pierce in an Esquire online column. Their words are better than mine.  I will,however, say this.  I shall not ascribe this to some berserk individual with mental health problems.  I will not suggest that with better gun laws, this could have been avoided.  I will say that this is rooted the culture of the South and that, yup, that fucking confederate flag is a powerful message.

Speaking of which, I take no solace in the actions of politicians who want the flag taken down in tribute to the 9 parishioners.  Where have they been in, oh say, the last 150 years?  They are not leaders--they are sheep. Even now, some of them just do not get it and see no problem with the flag display.  Damn, even those NASCAR red necks are getting rid of it. So Lindsey Graham and Governor Haley are not to be admired. They are to be despised for failing to address the cultural issues only after 9 people lay dead.  They play to the worse instincts in their community and then are surprised that members of that community react with such venom.

An anecdote from reader DK:  The gun club in Powder Springs, Georgia was just granted a license to serve alcohol.  Really, they can now not just carry weapons but carry them while inebriated.  A terrific message to members of that place.  If I lived there, I would be locking my doors right now.

Then we have the recent decisions of the Supreme Court.  Jeffrey Toobin has said that it is a mistake to call this the Roberts court.  It is in fact Kennedy's court.  On almost every 5-4 decision, it is Kennedy who is the key fifth vote and joins the 4 Liberals. He was the fifth vote in the decision regarding gay marriage.  And he was one of 6 (joined by Roberts) in the decision regarding the Affordable Care Act.  Anybody still wondering why it is important to vote in Presidential elections should remember who gets to appoint judges--for life.  I was especially happy for Mary Bonauto, the lawyer who got to argue the case before the Supremes.  She is the woman who litigated the initial case here in Massachusetts and she has now seen it to the finish.  But, oh my and guess what?

Some of our nations finest politicians (most of whom are, yup, from the south and most of whom are running for the Republican presidential nomination) do not like either decision and are twisting themselves into pretzels to let us know how they believe in the law of the land but this might be going too far.  All of us need to respect the decision about PAC money having no limit and all of us need to respect other court decisions but we do not have to let the court interfere in our state in this case.  Just read what Jindal, Huckabee, Trump, and those other losers have to say about these decisions.  They really do hate poor people and that's why poor people do not deserve insurance.  And they hate gay people and that's why they should not have the right to marry.  Kick all of those yokels to the curb.  And they are the leaders of their party and get away with this shit.  More sheep.

Items:
--Neil Young told the Donald that he could not use Neil's song "Rocking in the Free World" in his campaign because Neil is supporting Bernie Sanders.  Neil is Canadian and does not vote here anyhow.  Trump is so angry about immigration from the south, he probably forgot Canada is a separate country. His language about Mexican immigrants is more hatred.
--I am worried about all these training bases we are setting up in Iraq.  If any of us think our soldiers will not suffer injuries or even die, we are mistaken.  Being there is a big time risk and I am very nervous.
--Hungary, one of Hitler's best friends, wants to put up a fence to keep immigrants out--I wonder who will pick their fruit.  If Hungary bordered the Mediterranean, they might want to put fences on the beaches of Southern Europe.
--Do all of you know there is such a thing as Pilates Gyrotonic.  What is that and why?
--There is also a national association of herbalists who do not believe in mainstream medicine.  What is that about and why?
--There is an association for the owners of school buses.  Guess what?  Their main objective is to avoid having to put seat belts in their buses.  You have any kids or grand kids who ride those big yellow buses?
--A great but deeply disturbing book by Jon Krakauer.  He "embedded" himself in Missoula, Montana to write about sexual assaults perpetrated by members of the University of Montana's football team.  This is an ugly disquieting story but perhaps is not surprising given the increase in sexual assaults on campuses.  Just check out the Vanderbilt situation and their football team.
--The FDA is banning trans fat--good for them.
--When this week and last week are taken together, the Prez has had a pretty good time.
--Shout out to H.  who followed advice and loved Key West.  I cannot wait to return.

SPORTS TALK
--One item. Grant Wahl writes for SI and is a soccer specialist.  He is just excellent.  But right after the Supremes issued their gay marriage decision, he did something very special.  He talked about the decision in light of the "out" gay women on the U.S. Women's National team.  And the coach of that team who is married to a woman and has a 12 year old daughter.  Just excellent journalism.

Sayonara

"YOU MUST BE A GRANDPARENT"

Fuck yes, I am a grandparent.  SHE:  full of venom screaming at me; clutching her cell phone; and driving not a crossover SUV but a big mother expedition or escalade.  ME:  a great humanitarian and a fantastic grand father picking up his grand son at school.  There is apparently a protocol to these pick ups which I was not worthy of knowing.  I wanted the last space so I could get out quickly without being blocked in.  Nicely enough, I left her space for her and the yacht to parallel park right in front of me.  Then she went berserk, powered down her window as did I, and ended up by kind of name calling me a grandparent.  My only comment (being a great humanitarian) was to advise her not to go there.  The glow of her lipstick and nail polish was blinding.  Give me a fucking break with this protocol bullshit.

Shout outs:  to H who found me in a Manhattan restaurant after sleuthing worthy of Sherlock Holmes because he wanted to meet the writer of this excellent screed; to J and S on their anniversary; to J for surviving and having a great conversation with me; to A and L for being great hosts.

Ends and Odds:
--I think Vince Vaughn is very funny.  I also think he is a lunatic and now I have to decide if I boycott his work.  Seems he thinks school personnel should be required to carry guns.  Say what?
--Kerry had his leg repaired while awake, was up on his feet the next day, and is home less than a week later.  He is 70.  I would remain in bed for the duration and drive everyone crazy.
--Florida, that no regulation state, apparently lets any old hospital do any old surgery if they just "want" to.  So an alarming incidence of death from pediatric cardiac surgeries at one of their fine hospitals generated this comment beginning (more or less):  "Florida does not regulate".  Seriously?
--Both Qatar and Russia ended up as World Cup sites via bribery.  But I doubt those yokels at FIFA will do anything to change locations.
--Two notes for all of you keeping track of Catholic issues:  The Pope is about to issue an encyclical on climate change and some of the Republican boys running for Prez are already disputing his role in that debate.  Plus, the Archbishop of Minneapolis and his top aide resigned after yet another sexual abuse scandal.  Too bad this Pope cannot be everywhere.
--And to balance the ledger:  an eminent rabbi up here is involved in a sex scandal of his own which also involved money he embezzled from his synagogue.  Fair is fair.
--That fine school called FSU has offered a football scholarship to a 14 year old who already wears size 18 shoes and weighs 300 pounds.  Nothing in the story about health implications.  It is a sports story.
--Ted Cruz insulted all of us but especially Joe Biden by making a hideous joke after the death of Biden's son.  And he wants to be President.
--We in the Commonwealth have totally screwed up this casino business but the slots parlor will open in two weeks for all the losers who think they will win big on those machines.  I am not smart enough to operate the new fangled version of one armed bandits since you mostly push buttons.

SPORTSTALK
--One item:  Serena is really good.  But I have to say I am really tired of her moaning and groaning and the worst cold she had to overcome.  Play tennis damn it.

Sayonara

DON'T CALL ME BRUCE

I'm Caitlyn.  The picture of Caitlyn on the cover of Vanity Fair is just stupendous--both in terms of the photography by Annie Leibovitz and the amazing changes to the person who previously was know as Bruce Jenner.  I do hope this furthers the issues, concerns, and causes of and for transgendered folks.  And yet....this is a person who was part of that whole Kardashian publicity hound crew.  He is already signed to do a reality show based on the changes and he will be getting an award at the ESPYs.  Maybe this will all be good; but maybe there are many other trans people out there who will not be bringing in the big bucks and who may not even be able to avoid the surgeries.  It makes me a bit nudgy.

Kudos:  to  CP for making that lizard look like he is climbing up a wall; to  R and M on the arrival of their first grand child whose parents are those yummy M and M's; to the nation of Ireland for okaying gay marriage in the face of fierce Catholic church opposition.  It did not help the church that many of its priest and nuns engaged in abusive behavior to those most vulnerable members of its flock.

Fucking Texas.  How about inviting three different biker gangs to a mall in Waco to lick ice cream cones and just hang out for the afternoon.  Maybe they will make peace with each other.  OOPs--nope they just have a shootout and 9 of them die while innocents and the police manage to escape.  What city in its right mind would even allow this--Waco and its elected officials knew about the meeting and then express shock at the result.  Then a terrific article in the Boston Globe about the belief of a bunch of Texans that they are about to be invaded--and not by Mexico but by the good old U.S. Army.  At a meeting, 30 miles east of Austin (ahem), they even shouted down a high ranking Army officer who was trying to defuse the whole thing.  They hate the government (though they love their Social Security benefits) and they specifically hate Obama. Their fine Senator, Ted Cruz, gave a little impetus to the crazies by saying he would look into it.  As if.  (By the way, almost 20 million of us are now covered by Obamacare.  I almost hope the Republicans try to repeal it.)

How can the city of Boston approve a car race along city streets without a public hearing but continue to struggle with any approval for the Olympics.  Good luck if you are here in September of 2016--wear earplugs.  Speaking of the Olympics, I happen not to give a shit but this city has such a sucky attitude we are about to kill the possibility of having it here.  And the Mayor continues to fight the casino location in a nearby suburb.  Fucking up everything seems to be the theme of the moment.

Ends and Odds:
--There were "spectators" hanging outside the federal court awaiting the Tsarnaev verdict.  Ghouls every one of them.  Not relatives of the injured or dead; not connected in anyway; just get me some tv time and I am there.
--CNN posted 171 mugshots of the bikers involved in the Waco fiasco.  Why?  I am surprised Wolf Blitzer did not fly down to interview some of them.
--More domestic assaults, sexual assaults, and animal cruelty incidents amongst the fine group of NFL players.  But Brady gets 4 games for supposedly screwing around with a football.  Priorities.
--Good news: Russ Feingold is running for the Senate.  We need to give him money especially if that screwball governor Walker runs against him--need to give him money no matter who runs against him.
--Bad news:  Don't expect the Iraqi Army to defend you if you are in danger.
--More bad news:  Netanyahu shoots his mouth off again about the world being anti Semitic when it supports the rights of Palestinians.  He needs to shut up.
--Letterman is gone and I have to say I don't miss him.  I just wonder how "tame" Colbert will have to be to
 survive.
--Cuba is no longer a terrorist state.  When I read that ferry service was about to start, I was quite happy that we went when we did.  Its about to get a bit touristy.  But you know what, they need the dinero.

No sports talk except to smile at the anguish of Red Sox fans.  Tough luck.

Sayonara

THIS JUST IN

I'm nothing if not up to the minute.  I guess now people won't think of us as that liberal state.  Tsarnaev got the death penalty though his actual death is likely years off.  I admit to being a bit surprised and hope to avoid all the comments likely to be in the Globe tomorrow about WHAT THIS MEANS.  Those who died are still not with us and the injured still have damaged bodies. Each of us will have our own take on it. Personally, I would have gone the super max route---but more personally, I am glad I was not on the jury.

I am also very glad I do not live in Nepal.  They got hit again early this week with another massive earthquake isolating villages which already were isolated.  Can only watch and donate money.  Which makes it even stupider that some of the Pats fans are trying to raise money to help Kraft pay the NFL's fine he received.  Perhaps they should consider what is or is not important--helping a gazillionaire pay a fine is not even on the radar of what is important.

I am also very lucky I don't have to take a unworthy boat across the Mediterranean or across whatever body of water is near Malaysia.  Immigrants paying all sorts of money to escape their countries and then getting aboard boats which are either overcrowded or both--topped off by nearly criminal crews who are in it for the money.  My mother got on one of those boats over 100 years ago and got off in NYC.

Kudos and congrats:  to T and T up there in the great white north who have ushered Levi into the world; to P whose most recent book was reviewed in the NY Sunday Times; and to A for her recent promotion. That's a lot of good news, folks.

Ends and Odds:

--Netanyahu continues to call the deal with Iran a "grave danger".  The reality is that the absence of a deal is a graver danger though Benny prefers trying to scare the bejezzus out of us all.  He needs to zip it up.
--The Governor of Florida, Rick Scott, does not believe in climate change so he will not help the cities along the east coast of his state.  Alas and alack, those cities now flood regularly due to rising ocean levels.  This includes St. Augustine, a historically significant city.  Let them get wet.
--The election is way too far away but Hilary came out with a really positive and strong statement on immigration which went even further than any of Obama's statements about the rights of folks who are getting on boats (so to speak) to get here.
--Anyone notice that the unemployment rate is better than it has been in over 8 years.  Hmmmm--but it must have been a button Georgie pushed before he left office.  Obama's handling of the economy cannot be the cause or can it?
--That Zimmerman character (another Floridian) got busted again.  Really, he should have been in jail right after he shot and killed Trayvon.
--Call me a Luddite if you must but I have been listening to lots of Otis and Ray and Smokey and the 4 Tops and anyone from the Motown stable of the 60's and even the Beach Boys.  Oh my, you can call me anything when I listen to that stuff.
--Another story from the great state of Florida.  Two parents were arrested for giving cocaine and grass to their adolescent children if they would attend school and do household chores.  Can someone kick those folks to the curb?
--An urban anecdote.  got on the subway Saturday night at about 10.  The car was full of youngish adolescents (looked to me to be about 14-16) having a good old time with music and plans and flirting and not bothering any of us civilians.  Then bam--a real fistfight broke out between two of the guys.  Broken up quickly by their friends.  But later, we wondered, what if one had a weapon, what if........
--Finally no sports talk but here comes my bit on Mr. Brady.  He knew something goofy was going on. How the Players union allowed the Commissioner to be judge, jury, and executioner in their last negotiations is beyond me. This league, like the NBA and MLB, regularly has players arrested on drug charges, domestic abuse, child abuse, weapons charges, and all sorts of very ugly behavior.  They get two game suspensions.  But woe is you if you besmirch the integrity of the game--4 games.  He got, in the parlance of the game, a personal foul penalty and Goodell was the ref.

Sayonara

WORDS DON'T FAIL ME NOW

How do I get the right words out of this computer when so many god awful things happened in the last two weeks.  A close relative sent me two articles from the on line version of the Atlantic which helped me.  Both reminded me that context is important.  Mindful of context I will begin.

--Context in Baltimore is important.  Before any of you jump up and down about the violence, let me be clear:  it would have been "better" if the protests there were non violent.  But who am I to stand in judgement of that African American community and their experiences?  The context is that the Baltimore police force has a long history of documented abuse of the citizens of that city including having settled numerous civil suits which documented the abuse of prisoners.  So, for me, it really proves that we have not moved into that post racial society despite having our first African American President.
--Context in Kansas is important.  Sam Brownback, the Governor, has abolished the state income tax which has disproportionately hurt communities with significant numbers of low income people--many of them people of color.  He is also pushing some of the most restrictive anti abortion legislation in the country.  The context is that maybe those of us who believed the changes generated by the decade of the 60's would be permanent--maybe we were/are way off.  He will not be kicked to the curb though he deserves to be.
--Context in the Mediterranean is important.  Refugees from all over Africa especially the Northern parts are fleeing and trying to get into Europe.  They are literally dying and, much like Hispanic people coming across our own southern borders, they pay outrageous "fees" and put themselves in the hands of nasty folks just to cross over.  Then the boat sinks.  The Euros had cut budgets focusing on these border crossings and had, prior to the cuts, been successful in reducing the number of deaths.  Then, boom, less money and fewer Euro ships monitoring the waters. These refugees in Europe like those in our Southwest are no different than the refugees escaping Europe and the Nazis.
--Then there is Nepal and really I have no clue what the context is there.  Except it sucks and we need to help.
--In a more semi hilarious context, we have that fine Senator Cruz saying the country is run by "liberal fascists".  And Bobby Jindal, that fine Governor of Louisiana, making budget cuts so deep that LSU (the flagship state university) has filed papers warning it may go bankrupt.  Yes there is context:  it is that these are two stupid fellows who really should just shut up since it is quite difficult to speak with your foot in your mouth and someone else's foot up your ass.
--Those fine legislators in Tennessee have decided that the state book is the bible--and they don't mean the Old Testament version and they certainly don't mean the Koran.  There are just some places I don't want to go to.
--I do believe Hilary is in for a big fight both in primaries and, if she wins, in the general election.  Like Barack, people don't like her.

Now some cultural tidbits:
--I love Helen Mirren.  Just saw her in Woman of Gold and want to run away with her.  A movie about art stolen by the Nazis and she made a very thin movie very good.
--Read anything you can find by Mark Leibovich--he mainly writes in the NY Times Magazine.  But he has written a couple of books about Washington and the "insider culture".
--Warren Buffet has no clue why folks oppose same sex marriage.  In light of that we all better hope that Justice Kennedy comes through because he is likely going to be the swing vote.
--I had mixed feelings about this Bruce Jenner business but was convinced by a friend that his coming out was important to the trans gendered community.  Then I read that he signed a contract for a series on "E!" which will document his further transition.  Now I am feeling a bit like him and the Kardashians are total publicity freaks--even if his freak might be beneficial to some people.

SPORTS TALK
--Lebron is beyond any other player partly because he is such a physical specimen and then because he has those incredible skills.  Rondo was and is an asshole and that trade, which got the Celtics Crowder, looks better and better.  Though Chiarelli deserved the boot if only for trading Sequin.

Sayonara

TWO FOR TWO

We have had two very notable trials going on here over the last few months.  The federal trial of Tsarnaev was almost a non trial--his lawyers admitted he was one of the Marathon bombers.  The only issue was whether or not he could avoid the death penalty which the feds still use.  Hernandez was tried in state court and, as those jury deliberations progressed, I got more and more nervous they would acquit.  Because we all KNOW he did it and we KNOW he committed the other two murders whose trial will be coming up.  But he too was convicted and faces life without parole.  So, we the citizens of Massachusetts, went two for two. It remains "easier" for me even now to wrap my head around what Hernandez did and almost get it--the actions of a gangster and his crew.  I will never be able to "get it" with respect to 3 innocent people who died and over 250 who were injured by the bombs.  It won't compute.

Benny and Johnny (he who has a perpetual tan) sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g.  Remember that foolish little jingle from childhood?  Well Boehner and some of his crew went over and made aliyah in Israel welcomed with open arms by Netanyahu.  This after Netanyahu's speech to Congress which, along with his racist campaign, helped him get re-elected.  I bet they are buds now.  Then Benny decided that any deal with the Iranians would open the door to another Holocaust.  He plays that card as often as he can to scare the bejeezus out of us.  All of Europe (as well as the USA) is not only in support of a nuclear deal with Iran, the Euros are even likely to recognize the Palestinian statehood.  Yet Benny goes on and on and on--just like the energizer rabbit.  Kerry has done a masterful job and it is a deal worth making especially if it can forestall Israel bombing the shit out of Iran.  Which Benny is quite capable of approving.

Ends and Odds:
--The shooting in North Charleston was dealt with quickly which means someone learned something from Ferguson.  But, in the end, they are still killing African American men.
--Danny Shecter, the news dissector, passed away.  In the good old 60's , he was on WBCN in Boston along with a bunch of truly great and very progressive DJ's led by Charles Laquidara.  WBCN is gone and now their cultural critic is also.  RIP.
--The Governors of Arkansas and Indiana got scared shit less by major corporations threatening to pull businesses and conferences out of their state over legislation allowing businesses to refuse to serve certain customers if those customers----who the fuck knows.  I only know these Governors are both idiots. and deserve to be kicked to the curb.
--Obama is opening up about all these Republican candidates who are taking shots at him.  I hope he spends the next 18 months being totally unshy about these personal vendettas which have lasted now nearly 7 years.
--The Supremes will soon be hearing cases involving gay marriage and the Affordable Care Act.  I read a great piece in the Times pointing out the the biggest, most conservative, law firms in America are staying way away from the gay marriage case.  Not because they support gay marriage but, yikes, some of their best lawyers and/or clients might be gay and they think it is a loser of a case.
--Terrific interview of Edward Snowden by John Oliver.  And his former boss, Jon Stewart, did an incredible wild piece on the battle between religious holidays--as in Christmas versus Hanukkah.
--Hilary is running and this will get ugly believe me.
--Obama is lifting sanctions against Cuba.  Cannot wait for Cruz and Rubio to deal with that.


SPORTS TALK
As I watched part of the Master's , I thought:  Where do all these white people with baseball hats come from?  Is it a convention?  I thought they would be singing "way down South in the land of cotton" any second.  Another great day in America was the day Kentucky and Calipari lost.  Seven members of that team immediately declared for the NBA draft.  Bet that they took some tough courses down there in Blue Grass country.  Chiarelli is gone--deservedly so.  He butchered the salary cap and allowed oldsters to block the advance of youngsters.  As opposed to Danny Ainge whose oldest player and the only one on the team with a family is 29.  They are about to exit on stage left when they face the Cavs.

Sayonara

AND THE WINNER IS...........

A person who is not a member of my family (!) but is a friend came up with 14 additional people who are justifiably excited to be receiving this screed for the first time.  He will get a meal on me.  As for the rest of you slackers, what's up with your disinterest in such an important contest--better odds than the college basketball pool.  Who knows when you might get the chance to compete again.  Moving on.

Notes of Interest:
--Netanyahu won but only after attracting all the right wing voters with his racist belligerence which demeaned and defamed the Palestinians.  Then he said he did not really mean it.  At least Obama had the cojones to say that he did mean it and it was more than unfortunate.  Boehner should go hide somewhere since he gave the guy a platform.  Kudos to anyone in the House who stayed home.
--Speaking of Israel, my soccer fan relative and I watched the Israelis play Belgium in a Euro qualifying game.  This is important for two reasons:  The Israelis get placed in the Euro group despite their Mid East locale (perhaps to keep them away from all the Muslim countries?) and members of the Israeli team were clearly Arabs who are citizens of Israel.  The team happens to be lousy but it is "integrated".
--More on Israel.  J Street's statement after the election (Dated 3/18) was terrific as was David Remnick's brief piece in the New Yorker.  Really Bibi needs to be kicked to the curb.
--Ben Carson calls the President a psychopath.  And people say the animus towards the Prez is not personal.  Give me a break.  They hate him and not just his policies.
--If you have not noticed Eric Holder is still AG because Mitch and the boys will not even allow a vote on his successor.  They have tied her approval to language further restricting abortion.  They really are pathetic.
--I might vote in the Republican primaries just to be sure they nominate one of the crazies.  Right now I would vote for Teddy-boy Cruz.  He had the nerve to oppose the Affordable Care Act and is now using it for his family.  Seriously.  And with no apologies to the 16 million Americans who actually benefit from the Act. The Supremes better not fuck with this.
--I honestly do not completely understand the religious freedom law recently enacted in Indiana (and perhaps in Arkansas today).  But considering who opposes it and who has canelled conventions, it must really be an ugly thing.  This guy Pence is just a polished version of Cruz.
--What to say about the German plane crash?  Just scares the hell out of me.  Periodically either suicidal or depressed or both?  And somehow escaped any administrative action?  Oh my. He will be on my mind the next time I fly and I don't want to hear it couldn't happen here.

SPORTS TALK
Any day Rick Pitino loses is a good day for America.  Ditto for Calipari though I admit I have Kentucky winning it all in my pool. Watched Wisconsin last week when they played I don't know who--5 white guys on that Badger team playing against 5 African Americans.  Do they just collect big tall white guys up there in the Great White North?  As much as I think watching the Celtics this season has been fun, watching the Bruins has been painful.  And now that luddite Julien might break up the Spooner line because Krejci and Connolly are almost 100% cleared medically.  That Spooner line carried them in March while the Campbell line went 0 for March--not even an assist. This winter has taken me way out on a limb supporting the Pats.  I have no clue what Mr. Bill is doing.

Sayonara