The Luddite would be moi and the adjustment (based on serious interaction with some serious and expensive consultants) is that I will no longer list all your names and email addresses when I send this out. You will receive "blind copies" to insure your privacy. Enough said since otherwise I will get tangled in the poisonous weeds of nerd talk.
Moving on to the Boston Globe which is trying to survive by cutting the number of pages printed and by increasing the number of animal stories and pretending that they are newsworthy. To wit (and these first two are direct quotes): "Equine trooper Elliot mourned"; and "beloved Lynn cat missing after theft". So we have a dead horse and a missing cat. In the case of the cat, the robbers might have stolen millions but it is the cat which is taking the lead. The horse business is pathetic since there is a clear implication that this animal is a human. During this same period, the Globe had a story about an escaped calf, one about the introduction of rattlesnakes into state property, and about a seal swimming in the river. We know all of these are real stories since they appeared with journalist's by lines. Seriously, give me a fucking break.
Bruce is not going to North Carolina and neither am I. Nor to Georgia or Mississippi. But Jimmy Buffet is and I will heretofore never buy one of his albums--didn't want to disappoint his fans. Fuck him. Ditto to Tennessee and Mississippi. At least the Governor of Georgia vetoed legislation in that fine state but only because of economic pressure not belief in equity. I am prepared (as if it matters) to just give the South to the Donald except perhaps for my old stomping grounds of Florida--where Hilary might actually win.
Speaking of which. I am thinking Hilary will be nominated and also been revising my thoughts about the Donald. I am getting a bit more worried about him though I continue to believe every woman, every Hispanic voter, every LGBT voter, and every African American voter will be voting for her. She just gotta get to the Bernie voters and it would help if he (and our terrific senator, Elizabeth Warren) got off their tushes and supported her. My big worry about her are those damn emails and I expect that when the race really starts, so will the leaks or the formal release of the investigations--and they will not be pretty. But, oh my, who will he nominate to the Supreme Court? An excellent piece (and not flattering) about her hawkishness in last week's NY Times magazine.
In that same magazine, an very depressing but great article about the police in Chicago. Rahm Emanuel is in deep doo doo with the citizenry in that city and deservedly so considering his being tone deaf and arrogant.
Simply continue to be out of words for the Donald. I am also speechless and,, as I mentioned, the worry quotient is increasing. Am closely following Nate Silver and some very important Senate races--in Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and NH.
This is a serious paragraph about sports but I urge you to consider reading on. Richard Deitsch writes for SI.Com. He is , in my mind, the best journalist writing about sports media. His recent column linked me to a video about two female sportswriters and the hate mail they receive. But this is how it was filmed. Men who were friends of the producers (and not the haters) sat across from the women and read the emails and twits to them. The men were often in tears and apologized profusely for having to read them. The women were brave and stoic and almost had an attitude of "so what else is new". Very powerful stuff and if I knew how to link........but that's the luddite business so we have come full circle.
Final word: Had a great time with my mishpacha (look it up) in the DR.
SPORTS TALK
"It's kind of like training with a weight vest on". A direct quote from a U.S. woman who is pregnant and an Olympian and is in training for the next Winter Olympics. Wish I had that strength. No baseball until July 4th but my boys are already in trouble. The Bruins just died at the end and no one can score. Chiarelli fucked them good both in terms of the cap and in terms of trades (remember Seguin? Hamilton?). The Celtics are gone also but I loved watching.
Adios
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Saturday, April 2, 2016
WHAT KIND OF FOOL AM I?
Not the kind that writes a blog on April Fool's Day, so there--BAM! Moving on to items of utmost seriousness.
--Each year the St. Patrick's Day parade is held in South Boston. Southie is the neighborhood which had the most virulent anti busing riots when desegregation came to the schools here. In the olden days (as a close relative of mine refers to it), the period leading up to the parade was always marked by controversy. First, the folks did not want any black people to march; then, there could be no Veterans against the war in Vietnam; and, more recently, the organizers could not tolerate having GLBT people involved. Litigation followed each of these decisions right up to the date of the event. This year the route of the parade was to change--right back to court they went. The man who directed the parade was consistently referred to as "Wacko" Hurley (seriously, I could not make it up). I don't know if that was his real first name or not--but they have long memories in Southie and might even now prefer covered wagons and candles to cars and electricity.
--50,000 American soldiers died in Vietnam. But we have normalized relations with them, trade with them, visit each other's country, and generally treat them as a partner. Vietnam is a dictatorship. 90 miles away lies Cuba--another dictatorship. The Bay of Pigs was not a war--it was an invasion and it failed miserably. Because of the rabid Cuban Americans (mainly in Miami), we continue to have a blockade/embargo in place against Cuba. Republicans in Congress are berserk over Obama's visit there. The same Republicans criticize and want to eliminate the immigrants trying to come here from Central America; but welcome one and all from Cuba. Get over it. Anyone who saw Obama's welcome there knows the Cuban people, despite being so limited because of their politics and our own, love American people. It was a terrific moment in history.
--Cannot continue to go after the Donald but according to polls, he is likely to lose in Wisconsin (as is Hilary). I do, of course, have to say say something! Maureen Dowd in the NY Times of 3/20 had an excellent editorial focusing on the Donald and the assault committed by his campaign manager. More pridefully, the Association of Reformed Rabbis boycotted his speech at the AIPAC conference--for those in the dark, AIPAC is the ultra conservative Jewish group made up of gazillionaires who cannot tolerate a two state solution. Good for the rabbis. Another Times editorial by David Brooks excoriated the Donald.
--I am back to following Nate Silver on his 538 blog. Currently predicting Hilary losing Wisconsin but winning NY, Pa., and Maryland. Not sure how Bernie will recover from that but he has been resilient.
--The recent 4-4 vote in the Supreme Court is interesting even though I cannot totally explain the case. The bottom line is that the death of Scalia has really balanced the Supremes--the four liberals can now "win" cases since a tie will support their position. Btw. this new guy who may never get appointed is also a member of my tribe. That should send the anti semites into orbit.
--FYI. I will return from a long period of sunbathing in time for an entry in honor of May Day.
SPORTS TALK
--I need to speak with the person who keeps track of NHL statistics. It seems impossible for the Bruins to be the second highest scoring team in the league--despite their 6 goals last night. Even though both teams lost, congrats to the Bentley women's BB team and the BC women's hockey team for wonderful seasons. The UConn women look unbeatable and a kerfuffle has arisen over whether or not they are "good" for their sport. Raised mainly by male writers. Those writers should just shut up and watch some fine basketball.
Adios
--Each year the St. Patrick's Day parade is held in South Boston. Southie is the neighborhood which had the most virulent anti busing riots when desegregation came to the schools here. In the olden days (as a close relative of mine refers to it), the period leading up to the parade was always marked by controversy. First, the folks did not want any black people to march; then, there could be no Veterans against the war in Vietnam; and, more recently, the organizers could not tolerate having GLBT people involved. Litigation followed each of these decisions right up to the date of the event. This year the route of the parade was to change--right back to court they went. The man who directed the parade was consistently referred to as "Wacko" Hurley (seriously, I could not make it up). I don't know if that was his real first name or not--but they have long memories in Southie and might even now prefer covered wagons and candles to cars and electricity.
--50,000 American soldiers died in Vietnam. But we have normalized relations with them, trade with them, visit each other's country, and generally treat them as a partner. Vietnam is a dictatorship. 90 miles away lies Cuba--another dictatorship. The Bay of Pigs was not a war--it was an invasion and it failed miserably. Because of the rabid Cuban Americans (mainly in Miami), we continue to have a blockade/embargo in place against Cuba. Republicans in Congress are berserk over Obama's visit there. The same Republicans criticize and want to eliminate the immigrants trying to come here from Central America; but welcome one and all from Cuba. Get over it. Anyone who saw Obama's welcome there knows the Cuban people, despite being so limited because of their politics and our own, love American people. It was a terrific moment in history.
--Cannot continue to go after the Donald but according to polls, he is likely to lose in Wisconsin (as is Hilary). I do, of course, have to say say something! Maureen Dowd in the NY Times of 3/20 had an excellent editorial focusing on the Donald and the assault committed by his campaign manager. More pridefully, the Association of Reformed Rabbis boycotted his speech at the AIPAC conference--for those in the dark, AIPAC is the ultra conservative Jewish group made up of gazillionaires who cannot tolerate a two state solution. Good for the rabbis. Another Times editorial by David Brooks excoriated the Donald.
--I am back to following Nate Silver on his 538 blog. Currently predicting Hilary losing Wisconsin but winning NY, Pa., and Maryland. Not sure how Bernie will recover from that but he has been resilient.
--The recent 4-4 vote in the Supreme Court is interesting even though I cannot totally explain the case. The bottom line is that the death of Scalia has really balanced the Supremes--the four liberals can now "win" cases since a tie will support their position. Btw. this new guy who may never get appointed is also a member of my tribe. That should send the anti semites into orbit.
--FYI. I will return from a long period of sunbathing in time for an entry in honor of May Day.
SPORTS TALK
--I need to speak with the person who keeps track of NHL statistics. It seems impossible for the Bruins to be the second highest scoring team in the league--despite their 6 goals last night. Even though both teams lost, congrats to the Bentley women's BB team and the BC women's hockey team for wonderful seasons. The UConn women look unbeatable and a kerfuffle has arisen over whether or not they are "good" for their sport. Raised mainly by male writers. Those writers should just shut up and watch some fine basketball.
Adios
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS SHIT UP
The Boston Globe, which features an animal story a day, had the following this week: a horse is being mourned after it drowned in the home's cesspool. Seriously, the paper is getting thinner and thinner and this is the news that they choose to print. There was also a kerfuffle that was "news" about rattlesnakes being found in a reservoir near Worcester. Hope no one is scared. I recommend that they combine their animal reporter with their religion reporter since that is their other favorite piece of "news".
I must acknowledge that Republicans in this fine state also supported the Donald. So, I can no longer point fingers North towards the Granite state and complain about them. Or, unsurprisingly, I can complain about both states and their stupid Republican voters. Go for it with the Donald and his tanning salon bronzed face. Speaking of which, he just keeps on winning. That baby faced whiner Rubio could not even win his own state and has dropped out. That Howdy Doody look-alike (that would be Kasich) is the most normal Republican but I cannot believe he has a shot. And then there is the Cruzer who, I have to say, has a father who is crazier than he is. He is still in it and actually scares me more than the Donald. The Donald's latest quote is that his supporters will riot if he does not get the nomination. And the pundits wonder why there is violence at his rallies. Duh. Bernie has pushed Hilary and that is probably a good thing both in terms of her positions and in terms of preparing her for some ugly fights with whoever is the Republican nominee. I love everything Bernie says but he screeches too much and I worry about two things. If he should be the nominee, you will here the word socialist every five minutes. But, worse, you may also hear some serious anti-Semitic language every day. He does not need to practice his religion to be smeared by those crazy Republican right wingers. Finally, we have mainstream Republicans running scared --but they are as much to blame as the Donald. Republicans in the Senate and the House have run roughshod over our Democracy ever since the last election. Now the anger they lit a fire under is coming back to burn them in the form of the Donald. How can the Donald not be the nominee with Ben Carson, Chris Christie, and perhaps God on his side.
Big breath: Speaking of music (get the transition?), I was listening to an old Phil Ochs CD (some of you probably don't even know him) and some of his lyrics from 40 years ago remain relevant.
I'm back. So the person appointed by the Michigan Governor to oversee Flint (after the state took it over much like Detroit) saved some money and totally fucked up their water supply Neither of the two big state schools was involved in the research. It took a Virginia Tech scientist to add two and two. Both UM and MSU should be embarrassed.
Finally, we have a Supreme Court nominee. From what I have read he is quite a brilliant judge. Already we have the Mitcher and the Grasser from two underwhelming/underpopulated states (sorry JF) saying nope, they won't do a thing. More reason than any to be sure Donald stays in Mar a Lago come November.
SPORTS TALK
Injuries have caught up with the Celtics--they will still make the playoffs but I am betting they do not get home court. I continue to love watching them as opposed to the Bruins who are just painful. Then we have the great BC men's basketball team which somehow thought they could compete in the ACC--then went winless in the conference. Whoever thought BC should compete in either football or basketball with all those schools must have been out of their fucking minds--but aha, it was about money not competition.
Adios.
I must acknowledge that Republicans in this fine state also supported the Donald. So, I can no longer point fingers North towards the Granite state and complain about them. Or, unsurprisingly, I can complain about both states and their stupid Republican voters. Go for it with the Donald and his tanning salon bronzed face. Speaking of which, he just keeps on winning. That baby faced whiner Rubio could not even win his own state and has dropped out. That Howdy Doody look-alike (that would be Kasich) is the most normal Republican but I cannot believe he has a shot. And then there is the Cruzer who, I have to say, has a father who is crazier than he is. He is still in it and actually scares me more than the Donald. The Donald's latest quote is that his supporters will riot if he does not get the nomination. And the pundits wonder why there is violence at his rallies. Duh. Bernie has pushed Hilary and that is probably a good thing both in terms of her positions and in terms of preparing her for some ugly fights with whoever is the Republican nominee. I love everything Bernie says but he screeches too much and I worry about two things. If he should be the nominee, you will here the word socialist every five minutes. But, worse, you may also hear some serious anti-Semitic language every day. He does not need to practice his religion to be smeared by those crazy Republican right wingers. Finally, we have mainstream Republicans running scared --but they are as much to blame as the Donald. Republicans in the Senate and the House have run roughshod over our Democracy ever since the last election. Now the anger they lit a fire under is coming back to burn them in the form of the Donald. How can the Donald not be the nominee with Ben Carson, Chris Christie, and perhaps God on his side.
Big breath: Speaking of music (get the transition?), I was listening to an old Phil Ochs CD (some of you probably don't even know him) and some of his lyrics from 40 years ago remain relevant.
I'm back. So the person appointed by the Michigan Governor to oversee Flint (after the state took it over much like Detroit) saved some money and totally fucked up their water supply Neither of the two big state schools was involved in the research. It took a Virginia Tech scientist to add two and two. Both UM and MSU should be embarrassed.
Finally, we have a Supreme Court nominee. From what I have read he is quite a brilliant judge. Already we have the Mitcher and the Grasser from two underwhelming/underpopulated states (sorry JF) saying nope, they won't do a thing. More reason than any to be sure Donald stays in Mar a Lago come November.
SPORTS TALK
Injuries have caught up with the Celtics--they will still make the playoffs but I am betting they do not get home court. I continue to love watching them as opposed to the Bruins who are just painful. Then we have the great BC men's basketball team which somehow thought they could compete in the ACC--then went winless in the conference. Whoever thought BC should compete in either football or basketball with all those schools must have been out of their fucking minds--but aha, it was about money not competition.
Adios.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
MY NUMERICAL AGE NOW BEGINS WITH A 7
Oh my. In my head, I am still down there in Miami playing ball at Coral Way Elementary with Charles, Gary, and David. All of whom shall also be entering their 8th decades in the coming months. Good luck with that. This past week has shaken me up not because of anything bad happening but because I can see the darkness (not the light) at the end of the tunnel. My immortality fantasy is just that--fanciful.
But I have good health. I have a terrific partner and two strong articulate adult daughters. I have two gorgeous grandchildren and a mensch of a son-in-law. I never thought I would be this lucky. I have friends who take me out to lunch after driving 75 miles out of their way on their way to Bernie's state. I have a brother-in-law who baked a scrumptious low fat cake and a sister-in-law who (along with her husband) will be taking me out for dinner. Life is good and I have vowed to enjoy it and squeeze it as long as I am able. Enough.
Items of perhaps interest:
--As my granddaughter would say, in the olden days Castro came to power and hundreds of thousands of Cubans came to Miami. They were welcomed by our country and immediately provided with all sorts of benefits. This scenario is repeating itself as Cubans stranded in Central America for many years are being welcomed into our country and immediately receive all sorts of benefits. I do not begrudge their freedom or the benefits they receive.. I do get angry that the "real" Central Americans and the Syrians cannot get into this country and are vilified by Cruz and Rubio who are sons of that first batch of Cuban immigrants. Oy, and the Donald.
--Campus sexual assaults (those that are reported) are becoming more and more prevalent. Tennessee, Baylor, and Vanderbilt are just the latest examples of male athletes being accused of sexually assaulting female students. This is the price we collectively pay for the adulation we have for sports in general and football specifically. No one up here in the North understands the hold football has on the South.
Friday Night Lights" touched on it a bit but did not even come close. Plus, there is more than a touch of race underlying most of these situations.
--People in the Live Free or Die state (that would be NH) should be embarrassed that they supported the Donald in such large numbers. But then again, today is Super Tuesday, and he is likely to even beat Rubio in Florida. After much debate in this household, I voted for Hilary.
--Mitch McConnell, that mealy mouthed Senator, will not let the Senate even hold hearings on the Scalia vacancy and now will not let hearings be held on the closing of Gitmo. I fear Obama waited too long to close Gitmo but I do not like being held hostage by that McConnell asshole.
--Go figure: Trump takes on the Pope and there was no outrage even among the Bishops in the United States.
--Ben Carson believes Obama was raised "white". How can that guy ever have graduated from college let alone Medical School. He is an absolute idiot.
--Also, go figure: how can lactose free ice cream have cream?
--Clarence speaks. In the absence of his mentor, Clarence Thomas asked questions yesterday--literally the first time in a decade. Real comedian, that Clarence.
SPORTS TALK
It is so much fun watching the Celtics. They play with energy and each of them wants the ball to take that last shot. Crowder, Bradley, Thomas, Turner--they all have ice in their veins. As opposed to the Bruins who barely have blood flowing. Brady gets signed until he is 42 and the fucking stupid talking heads are not sure it is a good idea. I think the best idea is for me not to listen.
Adios.
But I have good health. I have a terrific partner and two strong articulate adult daughters. I have two gorgeous grandchildren and a mensch of a son-in-law. I never thought I would be this lucky. I have friends who take me out to lunch after driving 75 miles out of their way on their way to Bernie's state. I have a brother-in-law who baked a scrumptious low fat cake and a sister-in-law who (along with her husband) will be taking me out for dinner. Life is good and I have vowed to enjoy it and squeeze it as long as I am able. Enough.
Items of perhaps interest:
--As my granddaughter would say, in the olden days Castro came to power and hundreds of thousands of Cubans came to Miami. They were welcomed by our country and immediately provided with all sorts of benefits. This scenario is repeating itself as Cubans stranded in Central America for many years are being welcomed into our country and immediately receive all sorts of benefits. I do not begrudge their freedom or the benefits they receive.. I do get angry that the "real" Central Americans and the Syrians cannot get into this country and are vilified by Cruz and Rubio who are sons of that first batch of Cuban immigrants. Oy, and the Donald.
--Campus sexual assaults (those that are reported) are becoming more and more prevalent. Tennessee, Baylor, and Vanderbilt are just the latest examples of male athletes being accused of sexually assaulting female students. This is the price we collectively pay for the adulation we have for sports in general and football specifically. No one up here in the North understands the hold football has on the South.
Friday Night Lights" touched on it a bit but did not even come close. Plus, there is more than a touch of race underlying most of these situations.
--People in the Live Free or Die state (that would be NH) should be embarrassed that they supported the Donald in such large numbers. But then again, today is Super Tuesday, and he is likely to even beat Rubio in Florida. After much debate in this household, I voted for Hilary.
--Mitch McConnell, that mealy mouthed Senator, will not let the Senate even hold hearings on the Scalia vacancy and now will not let hearings be held on the closing of Gitmo. I fear Obama waited too long to close Gitmo but I do not like being held hostage by that McConnell asshole.
--Go figure: Trump takes on the Pope and there was no outrage even among the Bishops in the United States.
--Ben Carson believes Obama was raised "white". How can that guy ever have graduated from college let alone Medical School. He is an absolute idiot.
--Also, go figure: how can lactose free ice cream have cream?
--Clarence speaks. In the absence of his mentor, Clarence Thomas asked questions yesterday--literally the first time in a decade. Real comedian, that Clarence.
SPORTS TALK
It is so much fun watching the Celtics. They play with energy and each of them wants the ball to take that last shot. Crowder, Bradley, Thomas, Turner--they all have ice in their veins. As opposed to the Bruins who barely have blood flowing. Brady gets signed until he is 42 and the fucking stupid talking heads are not sure it is a good idea. I think the best idea is for me not to listen.
Adios.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
RANDOM THOUGHTS AND A POPURRI OF RANTS
--Justice Ginsburg's opera partner (that would be Justice Scalia) has passed away. I cannot imagine that she would go with Clarence. Speaking of whom, what will he do without his shepherd to lead him? Will he dare to speak?
--Ah, but we do have every Republican in the universe smacking the Prez around already--how dare he try to appoint someone to fill the seat. Really--what is he supposed to do just sit around for the next 10 months because they scare him and think they will win the White House? I think he should appoint someone of color--preferably a woman--and let the Republicans fight that in an election year.
--Chris Christie has pulled out but not before our Governor endorsed him. Our Governor is in the enviable position of being able to appoint 4 or perhaps 5 Justices to our state Supreme Court. Which has a mandatory retirement age--even though those Justices in DC do not. How can that be the case? Since he supports gay marriage and abortion, I am not too worried about these appointments. I do wonder about his commitment to cities specifically urban transportation. I bet he has never ridden the T and likely has a skewed suburban kind of head set. But if it is good for business, Charley will support it.
--Speaking of Christie, he used his time here in our environs very well--saw the Boss in Boston on one of his nights off. Be gone, big guy.
--Umm, I think Gloria and Madeline ought to keep their fucking mouths shut. Hilary has enough problems without them going off on young women who do not support her.
--Thanks to James Surowiecki (in the New Yorker), I now know that gas prices going down means stocks will go down in tandem. Even though falling gas prices actually help the economy. Go figure.
--I rarely agree with David Brooks but he is really very very bright. He more or less wished that the current group of Republican candidates had the civility, integrity, and thoughtfulness of Obama. And Brooks, in general, is not a big fan of Obama
--The Cruzer and the Donald are really slugging it out--I do hope the Donald sues the Cruzer over his citizenship. A terrific sideshow though a close relative of mine is very worried that come November we will not like the choices of our fellow Americans. Ezra Klein (a terrific writer) wrote online at a site called "Vox" that he is also very worried about the Donald. I love Ezra but I am not sure I agree. I think these bullies are beatable though I am not sure Bernie is the one to do it. After all, he is a socialist. And, oh by the way, I do not like his near denial of his religion.
--From my Senior north of the border correspondent--When did our society become so focused on celebrity and how pathetic is that? I have no answer though I suspect that the "new" 24/7 media cycle does not help. Everything is news and, therefore, I expect cameras down here in the man cave any minute.
--Jill Lepore, a Harvard Professor, wrote an article (also in the New Yorker) about the death of a toddler here in Boston. A depressing article to be sure--made all the more so because the week it came out, another Boston toddler was abused and died. It will not stop until someone with awfully big cojones (man or woman) is able to re-order the child welfare system in favor of prevention over tertiary intervention.
--What can I say about the Flint water fiasco? Those Republicans cut costs any place they can get away with it and public health be damned. The city has a state appointed overseer who saved a lot of money and jeopardized the health of every person living there.
--The religious powers that be in Israel have agreed to allow women and non Orthodox men to pray at the wailing wall in Jerusalem. But the right wing religious zealots have gotten enraged and I can only wonder if Netanyahu will cave in and over rule that decision. His administration depends on the support of those creepy zealots.
--Finally, news you have all been waiting for: Had my colonoscopy and while not clean as a whistle, I do not have to return for five years. The place I go to is a fucking factory--already expanded to another floor and lined up with patients.
--The next edition of this fine screed will find me having entered my 8th decade. Yikes.
SPORTS TALK
I'm actually not sure Isaiah Thomas of the Celtics is an all star but he is loads of fun to watch--I mean he is shorter than me!! Rick Pitino is up to his neck in an alligator swamp full of hookers and staff soliciting them and all sorts of ugliness. But Ricky had no knowledge--this from a known control freak. Marchand may be the hottest scorer in the NHL but the Bruins are tough to watch.
Adios
--Ah, but we do have every Republican in the universe smacking the Prez around already--how dare he try to appoint someone to fill the seat. Really--what is he supposed to do just sit around for the next 10 months because they scare him and think they will win the White House? I think he should appoint someone of color--preferably a woman--and let the Republicans fight that in an election year.
--Chris Christie has pulled out but not before our Governor endorsed him. Our Governor is in the enviable position of being able to appoint 4 or perhaps 5 Justices to our state Supreme Court. Which has a mandatory retirement age--even though those Justices in DC do not. How can that be the case? Since he supports gay marriage and abortion, I am not too worried about these appointments. I do wonder about his commitment to cities specifically urban transportation. I bet he has never ridden the T and likely has a skewed suburban kind of head set. But if it is good for business, Charley will support it.
--Speaking of Christie, he used his time here in our environs very well--saw the Boss in Boston on one of his nights off. Be gone, big guy.
--Umm, I think Gloria and Madeline ought to keep their fucking mouths shut. Hilary has enough problems without them going off on young women who do not support her.
--Thanks to James Surowiecki (in the New Yorker), I now know that gas prices going down means stocks will go down in tandem. Even though falling gas prices actually help the economy. Go figure.
--I rarely agree with David Brooks but he is really very very bright. He more or less wished that the current group of Republican candidates had the civility, integrity, and thoughtfulness of Obama. And Brooks, in general, is not a big fan of Obama
--The Cruzer and the Donald are really slugging it out--I do hope the Donald sues the Cruzer over his citizenship. A terrific sideshow though a close relative of mine is very worried that come November we will not like the choices of our fellow Americans. Ezra Klein (a terrific writer) wrote online at a site called "Vox" that he is also very worried about the Donald. I love Ezra but I am not sure I agree. I think these bullies are beatable though I am not sure Bernie is the one to do it. After all, he is a socialist. And, oh by the way, I do not like his near denial of his religion.
--From my Senior north of the border correspondent--When did our society become so focused on celebrity and how pathetic is that? I have no answer though I suspect that the "new" 24/7 media cycle does not help. Everything is news and, therefore, I expect cameras down here in the man cave any minute.
--Jill Lepore, a Harvard Professor, wrote an article (also in the New Yorker) about the death of a toddler here in Boston. A depressing article to be sure--made all the more so because the week it came out, another Boston toddler was abused and died. It will not stop until someone with awfully big cojones (man or woman) is able to re-order the child welfare system in favor of prevention over tertiary intervention.
--What can I say about the Flint water fiasco? Those Republicans cut costs any place they can get away with it and public health be damned. The city has a state appointed overseer who saved a lot of money and jeopardized the health of every person living there.
--The religious powers that be in Israel have agreed to allow women and non Orthodox men to pray at the wailing wall in Jerusalem. But the right wing religious zealots have gotten enraged and I can only wonder if Netanyahu will cave in and over rule that decision. His administration depends on the support of those creepy zealots.
--Finally, news you have all been waiting for: Had my colonoscopy and while not clean as a whistle, I do not have to return for five years. The place I go to is a fucking factory--already expanded to another floor and lined up with patients.
--The next edition of this fine screed will find me having entered my 8th decade. Yikes.
SPORTS TALK
I'm actually not sure Isaiah Thomas of the Celtics is an all star but he is loads of fun to watch--I mean he is shorter than me!! Rick Pitino is up to his neck in an alligator swamp full of hookers and staff soliciting them and all sorts of ugliness. But Ricky had no knowledge--this from a known control freak. Marchand may be the hottest scorer in the NHL but the Bruins are tough to watch.
Adios
Sunday, January 31, 2016
TRUTH BEING STRANGER THAN FICTION
That is if you believe everything you read in the newspaper. I believe this one that I will summarize. Two very bright folks brought some body parts to a Boston medical conference hoping to sell them to the medical researchers. OOPS--they did not know how to preserve them and the head that they brought was infected. Really. Seriously. People are so fucking stupid.
Along with that truth is this one--I am about to enter my 8th decade and will shortly celebrate a big birthday ending in a zero. (You math whizzes can figure that one out--right, JF?) I am determined to celebrate it for the next 11 months and already have a number of excellent adventures planned. But, speaking of truth, it is very weird to think of myself at this age. It cannot be true--I was just in High School and just turned 18.
Upstairs, in my head, I do not feel old yet my body belies that fantasy. The obituaries that I read daily do not lie either. Enough.
Ends and Odds
--Visited LA a while back and I am here to say you can have it. Except for what might have been the best museum I have ever been in--that would be the Broad. Eli Broad had a massive collection of the best modern art which he had either in his home, on loan, or in storage. He tried to negotiate with existing museums to place these works. But after getting screwed around a bit, he just built his own place--with free admission. Gorgeous space and right next to the Disney Hall designed by Frank Gehry. And the art--oh my, so hard to describe. This is the same guy who donated 100 million to create the Broad Institute in Cambridge to support medical research. A real mensch. BTW, gas is $2 a gallon more out there
--So let's be clear. The impact of NH and Iowa in these primaries is disproportionate to their impact in the general election. I mean, no offense, but no one lives in those places. So who cares. Talk to me after Labor Day and after the conventions.
--The news from Israel gets worser and worser. Settlers in Hebron, with governmental support, have taken over 370 acres formerly belonging to Palestinians. Palestinians attack Israeli civilians. Yet more Jews are fleeing France to live there and are just the ones more than likely to support that villainous Netanyahu.
--What state do you think arrests more African Americans than White Americans for not wearing seat belts? It would be in the South of course. and the "winner" is Florida. Can they fuck things up any more--I mean the state is sinking and they got a jerky governor who does not believe in climate change and are stuck with Marc Rubio who is is an intellectual wasteland.
--Bully for the old U.S.A.--we have taken in nearly 2,500 Syrian refugees. Out of hundreds of thousands who have fled that disaster. And according to the Donald and the Cruiser, those of us not on the Mayflower would not get into America today.
--And if you think the Cruiser is dangerous, check out his father who is absolutely berserk, is campaigning in Iowa, and is a "minister". The Cruiser has managed to collect not one Senate colleague to support him--he is detested by them. And he is scary mean.
--They saved money in Flint, you betcha. And now a generation of children may have been intellectually damaged because of the lead in the water. Michael Moore (who I can only take in small doses) finally opened up his yap and started some sort of drive to support the residents of Flint--after all he is from there.
--Strongly recommend "Straight Outta Compton" mainly because it gets to the social implications behind the music. In the olden days (as a bright grandchild refers to my past), I took 4 adolescent girls to see NWA and the Beastie Boys with instructions to stay far away--I obeyed but boy was it loud.
--Brian Wilson, with the backing of the Boston Pops, will be playing the entire "Pet Sounds" album at Symphony Hall in June. Gotta get tickets--it is one of the greatest albums ever made.
SPORTS TALK
I am not into finger pointing--the Pats got their asses kicked and if Mr. Brady is not still in rehab after the beating he took, I would be surprised. Having said that, I do think the Eagles game and the Dolphins game hurt real bad--because I do believe they win at home. Home is where the Bruins suck and I am getting tired of watching them. Not so the Celtics. I love watching them play because of how they play.
Adios
Along with that truth is this one--I am about to enter my 8th decade and will shortly celebrate a big birthday ending in a zero. (You math whizzes can figure that one out--right, JF?) I am determined to celebrate it for the next 11 months and already have a number of excellent adventures planned. But, speaking of truth, it is very weird to think of myself at this age. It cannot be true--I was just in High School and just turned 18.
Upstairs, in my head, I do not feel old yet my body belies that fantasy. The obituaries that I read daily do not lie either. Enough.
Ends and Odds
--Visited LA a while back and I am here to say you can have it. Except for what might have been the best museum I have ever been in--that would be the Broad. Eli Broad had a massive collection of the best modern art which he had either in his home, on loan, or in storage. He tried to negotiate with existing museums to place these works. But after getting screwed around a bit, he just built his own place--with free admission. Gorgeous space and right next to the Disney Hall designed by Frank Gehry. And the art--oh my, so hard to describe. This is the same guy who donated 100 million to create the Broad Institute in Cambridge to support medical research. A real mensch. BTW, gas is $2 a gallon more out there
--So let's be clear. The impact of NH and Iowa in these primaries is disproportionate to their impact in the general election. I mean, no offense, but no one lives in those places. So who cares. Talk to me after Labor Day and after the conventions.
--The news from Israel gets worser and worser. Settlers in Hebron, with governmental support, have taken over 370 acres formerly belonging to Palestinians. Palestinians attack Israeli civilians. Yet more Jews are fleeing France to live there and are just the ones more than likely to support that villainous Netanyahu.
--What state do you think arrests more African Americans than White Americans for not wearing seat belts? It would be in the South of course. and the "winner" is Florida. Can they fuck things up any more--I mean the state is sinking and they got a jerky governor who does not believe in climate change and are stuck with Marc Rubio who is is an intellectual wasteland.
--Bully for the old U.S.A.--we have taken in nearly 2,500 Syrian refugees. Out of hundreds of thousands who have fled that disaster. And according to the Donald and the Cruiser, those of us not on the Mayflower would not get into America today.
--And if you think the Cruiser is dangerous, check out his father who is absolutely berserk, is campaigning in Iowa, and is a "minister". The Cruiser has managed to collect not one Senate colleague to support him--he is detested by them. And he is scary mean.
--They saved money in Flint, you betcha. And now a generation of children may have been intellectually damaged because of the lead in the water. Michael Moore (who I can only take in small doses) finally opened up his yap and started some sort of drive to support the residents of Flint--after all he is from there.
--Strongly recommend "Straight Outta Compton" mainly because it gets to the social implications behind the music. In the olden days (as a bright grandchild refers to my past), I took 4 adolescent girls to see NWA and the Beastie Boys with instructions to stay far away--I obeyed but boy was it loud.
--Brian Wilson, with the backing of the Boston Pops, will be playing the entire "Pet Sounds" album at Symphony Hall in June. Gotta get tickets--it is one of the greatest albums ever made.
SPORTS TALK
I am not into finger pointing--the Pats got their asses kicked and if Mr. Brady is not still in rehab after the beating he took, I would be surprised. Having said that, I do think the Eagles game and the Dolphins game hurt real bad--because I do believe they win at home. Home is where the Bruins suck and I am getting tired of watching them. Not so the Celtics. I love watching them play because of how they play.
Adios
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
WHINE, WHINE, WHINE
I re-read my last screed and realized how whiny it sounded. ENOUGH. I have to get back in touch with my inner anger which I always thought and still believe has an anger supply which is inexhaustible. Ready?
--I am sick and tired of PIN numbers and call centers. I have too many PIN numbers, cannot remember them all, and end up using the same one for everything--which I realize is stupid but is also easy to remember. Now the call centers are another story. The most difficult part is that the folks I am speaking with are generally not in this country, do not understand me, and I have a hard time understanding them. I am aware that this nearly smacks of some sort of racist attitude. But really, if I am about to spend (let's say)$2,500 on a trip, shouldn't we both understand each other. Just in case I end up in Mongolia when I wanted to be in Montreal?
--Got some articles from close friend CN about the anti democratic trends in Israel. Those articles combined with the Frontline documentary on Netanyahu leave me pessimistic about any change in Israel and any two state solution as long as he and his party is in charge. His rigidity and his denigration of the Palestinian people combine to make the situation virtually hopeless. And he has a lot of support.
--Have not heard one word from those fucking anti immigration Republicans about the Cubans held up in Central America. They got out of Cuba and ended up stuck in Central America. They are about to be airlifted here and because of long standing agreements will immediately be issued green cards. Cruz, Rubio, Trump--not a peep. I guess because they have escaped from that Communist island. Syrians are different, don't you know.
--I already miss the humor of Lindsey Graham and the idiocy of Ben Carson.
--A judge in Alabama (I believe on their Supreme Court) has instructed court clerks to issue no licenses for gay marriages. And you think the South isn't different?
--But then again--the guy who replaced Jindal in Louisiana just signed into law an expansion of Medicaid--something that good ole boy refused to do (well actually he is not really a good ole boy being how he is from a family of Indians--and not the Native American version either).
--Frank Bruni had a great editorial in last week's NY Times about Cruz and Trump and how their language is so hateful. Speaking of which, I love it that Trump has now decided that Cruz may not qualify for the Presidency because he is not really an American. Just like Barack?
--The internal politics of my synagogue apparently sunk the candidacy of two candidates for senior Rabbi because they were perceived as too young (they were in their upper 30's). I am so disaffected that I actually do not give a shit. But it is kind of pathetic.
--Now we get to the real big issue of the day--the Boston Globe. It had already become a shell of its old self since it was bought by the owner of the Red Flops. Have any of you seen it's Saturday edition? If it has 20 pages, it would be a surprise. Then, to save more money, they changed their home delivery company. And royally screwed things up. No papers delivered; papers delivered that were early editions so that even scores from the East were not included; reporters sent out in the night to deliver papers; and it continues two weeks after the change. Get this: they offer you credits not in the form of subscription reductions but in the form of extensions. So instead of having a reduced bill, I will get two weeks added if and when I cancel. I have already informed them that I am finished with exxtensions and will reduce my next payment. They can cancel me if they want. Screw 'em.
SPORTS TALK
I worry about the Pats playing the Chiefs. I am not a believer in the "turn it on when you want" school of thought. And apparently there is supposed to be a monsoon on Saturday. While I enjoy the Celtics, they are in a bad funk. Couple that with the Bruins continued inability to score (and their stupid coach's unwillingness to play younger players) and we have a winter drought of pro team excitement.
Adios.
--I am sick and tired of PIN numbers and call centers. I have too many PIN numbers, cannot remember them all, and end up using the same one for everything--which I realize is stupid but is also easy to remember. Now the call centers are another story. The most difficult part is that the folks I am speaking with are generally not in this country, do not understand me, and I have a hard time understanding them. I am aware that this nearly smacks of some sort of racist attitude. But really, if I am about to spend (let's say)$2,500 on a trip, shouldn't we both understand each other. Just in case I end up in Mongolia when I wanted to be in Montreal?
--Got some articles from close friend CN about the anti democratic trends in Israel. Those articles combined with the Frontline documentary on Netanyahu leave me pessimistic about any change in Israel and any two state solution as long as he and his party is in charge. His rigidity and his denigration of the Palestinian people combine to make the situation virtually hopeless. And he has a lot of support.
--Have not heard one word from those fucking anti immigration Republicans about the Cubans held up in Central America. They got out of Cuba and ended up stuck in Central America. They are about to be airlifted here and because of long standing agreements will immediately be issued green cards. Cruz, Rubio, Trump--not a peep. I guess because they have escaped from that Communist island. Syrians are different, don't you know.
--I already miss the humor of Lindsey Graham and the idiocy of Ben Carson.
--A judge in Alabama (I believe on their Supreme Court) has instructed court clerks to issue no licenses for gay marriages. And you think the South isn't different?
--But then again--the guy who replaced Jindal in Louisiana just signed into law an expansion of Medicaid--something that good ole boy refused to do (well actually he is not really a good ole boy being how he is from a family of Indians--and not the Native American version either).
--Frank Bruni had a great editorial in last week's NY Times about Cruz and Trump and how their language is so hateful. Speaking of which, I love it that Trump has now decided that Cruz may not qualify for the Presidency because he is not really an American. Just like Barack?
--The internal politics of my synagogue apparently sunk the candidacy of two candidates for senior Rabbi because they were perceived as too young (they were in their upper 30's). I am so disaffected that I actually do not give a shit. But it is kind of pathetic.
--Now we get to the real big issue of the day--the Boston Globe. It had already become a shell of its old self since it was bought by the owner of the Red Flops. Have any of you seen it's Saturday edition? If it has 20 pages, it would be a surprise. Then, to save more money, they changed their home delivery company. And royally screwed things up. No papers delivered; papers delivered that were early editions so that even scores from the East were not included; reporters sent out in the night to deliver papers; and it continues two weeks after the change. Get this: they offer you credits not in the form of subscription reductions but in the form of extensions. So instead of having a reduced bill, I will get two weeks added if and when I cancel. I have already informed them that I am finished with exxtensions and will reduce my next payment. They can cancel me if they want. Screw 'em.
SPORTS TALK
I worry about the Pats playing the Chiefs. I am not a believer in the "turn it on when you want" school of thought. And apparently there is supposed to be a monsoon on Saturday. While I enjoy the Celtics, they are in a bad funk. Couple that with the Bruins continued inability to score (and their stupid coach's unwillingness to play younger players) and we have a winter drought of pro team excitement.
Adios.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)