SATURDAY POTPOURRI
Nobody Asked Me But:
Former Secretary of State James Baker, reacting to the HBO show, “Recount:” “There are still Democrats who say with a straight face that we stole the election.”
Reaction – NO, not the election. The Republicans stole the process. It is still uncertain who won the election.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who are the most arrogant drivers all?
Read it master, through my lens
The answer is Mercedes Benz
(Except, of course, for your brother-in-law Tom.)
Is Rachael Ray really a promoter of terrorism or is Radical Right blogger Michelle Malkin a nutcase? Today Malkin attacks Ray for wearing a black-and-white scarf, supposedly a support signal for Arab terrorists. I suppose tomorrow is she will claim that Ray deliberately exceeded her $40 per day limit on her popular travel show “(fill in the city) on $40 Per Day.
Easy call - nutcase!
Q -What should be done with doctors who refuse treatment because of differing religious beliefs?
A - I’m with the “Wonderland” Queen – off with their heads (or at least with their licenses).
And, finally, here is my list of the best Ben Stiller movies.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Nobody Daily – 5/30/08
FRIDAY SPORTSPAGE
Nobody Asked Me But:
Big Brown is very good. He may even be great. But I wish he had a chance to prove his greatness by running against tougher competition.
Aggressive is the most important word in sports. Much more often than not the more aggressive team or person wins. That’s why prevent defenses usually backfire and prevent the team or individual from winning rather than losing. And isn’t this true in life as well?
So why is it so easy in sports and in life to slip into passivity?
Hecklers – be it in sports or politics are usually counter-productive.
WOW was I wrong to cheer my Detroit Tigers on during the off-season when they traded their future for the prospect of immediate success. What success? They are in last place with a huge payroll and NO future.
Youth may be wasted on the young in life, but not in sports.
Why don’t more baseball general managers realize that when they trade for overweight players or sign them as free agents, they have a fat chance of them succeeding?
Poster boy – Congratulations to my Lakers! Their win over the defending champion Spurs last night puts them in the championship series (hopefully against the Celtics) at least a year ahead of schedule. And isn’t their versatile forward Lamar Odom the poster boy for my passive/aggressive theory?
Nobody Asked Me But:
Big Brown is very good. He may even be great. But I wish he had a chance to prove his greatness by running against tougher competition.
Aggressive is the most important word in sports. Much more often than not the more aggressive team or person wins. That’s why prevent defenses usually backfire and prevent the team or individual from winning rather than losing. And isn’t this true in life as well?
So why is it so easy in sports and in life to slip into passivity?
Hecklers – be it in sports or politics are usually counter-productive.
WOW was I wrong to cheer my Detroit Tigers on during the off-season when they traded their future for the prospect of immediate success. What success? They are in last place with a huge payroll and NO future.
Youth may be wasted on the young in life, but not in sports.
Why don’t more baseball general managers realize that when they trade for overweight players or sign them as free agents, they have a fat chance of them succeeding?
Poster boy – Congratulations to my Lakers! Their win over the defending champion Spurs last night puts them in the championship series (hopefully against the Celtics) at least a year ahead of schedule. And isn’t their versatile forward Lamar Odom the poster boy for my passive/aggressive theory?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Nobody Daily – 5/29/08
POST-MEMORIAL DAY THOUGHTS
Question - What did you give up for your country during the war with Iraq?
Answers -
Young man – I gave up my life.
Young woman – I gave up my life.
President Bush – I gave up my golf game.
Random thoughts on dropping atomic bombs on Japan
Question - Why did we use the A-bomb while, at the same time, choosing not to use chemical or biological weapons?
Answer – Our enemies did not have the Bomb, so they could not retaliate. They did have chemical or biological weapons and could have used them on us.
Question – Was Japan a stand-in for the Soviet Union? In other words, did we A-bomb Japan as a warning to the Soviet Union that they should not be too aggressive after the war ended?
Answer: Almost certainly, this was a factor. Was it the main reason? Possibly.
Question – Was it a shameful reason?
Answer – Yes.
Question – Was using the Bomb preferable to invading Japan and all the casualties that would have meant?
Answer – Almost every expert says yes.
Question – Would an invasion have been necessary to win the war?
Answer – Most experts say no.
Question – Had we offered Japan the same surrender terms that we later agreed to, would the war have ended with out dropping the Bomb?
Answer – In all probability, yes.
Question - What did you give up for your country during the war with Iraq?
Answers -
Young man – I gave up my life.
Young woman – I gave up my life.
President Bush – I gave up my golf game.
Random thoughts on dropping atomic bombs on Japan
Question - Why did we use the A-bomb while, at the same time, choosing not to use chemical or biological weapons?
Answer – Our enemies did not have the Bomb, so they could not retaliate. They did have chemical or biological weapons and could have used them on us.
Question – Was Japan a stand-in for the Soviet Union? In other words, did we A-bomb Japan as a warning to the Soviet Union that they should not be too aggressive after the war ended?
Answer: Almost certainly, this was a factor. Was it the main reason? Possibly.
Question – Was it a shameful reason?
Answer – Yes.
Question – Was using the Bomb preferable to invading Japan and all the casualties that would have meant?
Answer – Almost every expert says yes.
Question – Would an invasion have been necessary to win the war?
Answer – Most experts say no.
Question – Had we offered Japan the same surrender terms that we later agreed to, would the war have ended with out dropping the Bomb?
Answer – In all probability, yes.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5/28/08
NOT REALLY A REVIEW OF THE LATEST INDIANA JONES
Nobody Asked Me But:
Over the weekend I was in Southern Arizona visiting my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. On Friday Elizabeth, Ryan, Emily and I went to see Indiana Jones and The Legend of the Crystal Skull – hereafter called IJ. Like the other IJ movies, it was Gunga Din lite, and I mean that without disrespect. IJ was very good. But every action film since 1939 has been Gunga Din lite.
Here are several points of comparison:
Harrison Ford vs. Cary Grant – Ford is one of my favorite actors, but I touched Cary Grant on the shoulder once at a Peggy Lee concert in Westwood, and Ford is no Cary Grant.
The rest of the IJ cast vs. Victor McLaglen - McLaglen easily.
Special effects - We've come a long way since 1939, baby. IJ is way ahead.
Story line – IJ’s story is adequate to support the action, which is all that it is supposed to be, but it is not based on a classic Kipling poem. A big edge to Gunga Din.
Fight scenes - Both are wonderful, but nobody fights as good as the sergeants three in GD.
Snakes – IJ has ONE. Yes, it is a big ONE, but GD has a whole pit full of writhing, twisting, striking nightmares.
Climax – Sorry IJ but you have no wounded Sam Jaffe climbing to temple top to warn the British.
Final scene – It is no contest. Indy’s wedding was nice, but the British Colonel reading Kipling’s poem over Din’s grave thrills me, fills me and chokes me up every time.
Note: I could be politically correct and point out the mixed socio-political message of Gunga Din - white man’s burden versus the noble savage. But I prefer to enjoy it as superb filmmaking.
Nobody Asked Me But:
Over the weekend I was in Southern Arizona visiting my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. On Friday Elizabeth, Ryan, Emily and I went to see Indiana Jones and The Legend of the Crystal Skull – hereafter called IJ. Like the other IJ movies, it was Gunga Din lite, and I mean that without disrespect. IJ was very good. But every action film since 1939 has been Gunga Din lite.
Here are several points of comparison:
Harrison Ford vs. Cary Grant – Ford is one of my favorite actors, but I touched Cary Grant on the shoulder once at a Peggy Lee concert in Westwood, and Ford is no Cary Grant.
The rest of the IJ cast vs. Victor McLaglen - McLaglen easily.
Special effects - We've come a long way since 1939, baby. IJ is way ahead.
Story line – IJ’s story is adequate to support the action, which is all that it is supposed to be, but it is not based on a classic Kipling poem. A big edge to Gunga Din.
Fight scenes - Both are wonderful, but nobody fights as good as the sergeants three in GD.
Snakes – IJ has ONE. Yes, it is a big ONE, but GD has a whole pit full of writhing, twisting, striking nightmares.
Climax – Sorry IJ but you have no wounded Sam Jaffe climbing to temple top to warn the British.
Final scene – It is no contest. Indy’s wedding was nice, but the British Colonel reading Kipling’s poem over Din’s grave thrills me, fills me and chokes me up every time.
Note: I could be politically correct and point out the mixed socio-political message of Gunga Din - white man’s burden versus the noble savage. But I prefer to enjoy it as superb filmmaking.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5/27/08
DANCING WITH AMERICAN IDOL
Nobody Asked Me But:
What is it with talent shows anyway? What do other people see that I can’t? The night before my trip to Arizona last week, I lost my wife to Dancing With The Stars. The next evening in Arizona my daughter and grandkids were cheering on the next American Idol. I mean, what am I anyway, chopped liver?
Actually anything but chopped liver. I hate the stuff. Why once when I was a kid…never mind. No vomit stories here.
Of course, talent shows like “Idol” are nothing new. Here’s that “when I was a kid” again, but it’s true. Back then they were all over the radio and later the television map. Both Arthur Godfrey in the 40s and Dick Clark in the 50s made a run at me. They had me dreaming of an ing career. Singing. Dancing. I ended up teaching.
In the classroom my role changed. I became a searcher. I discovered some monstrous talent – or was it just some talented monsters?
So that is the key to the popularity of these shows. I think it is that many people love to live vicariously on the dreams of others. Me. I snore when I dream.
And what do those skimpy costumes have to do with dancing?
Post Script: I say a sad farewell to one of my favorite directors, Sidney Pollack. He is responsible for many classics including my favorite CIA-type film, the underappreciated “Three Days Of Condor.”
Nobody Asked Me But:
What is it with talent shows anyway? What do other people see that I can’t? The night before my trip to Arizona last week, I lost my wife to Dancing With The Stars. The next evening in Arizona my daughter and grandkids were cheering on the next American Idol. I mean, what am I anyway, chopped liver?
Actually anything but chopped liver. I hate the stuff. Why once when I was a kid…never mind. No vomit stories here.
Of course, talent shows like “Idol” are nothing new. Here’s that “when I was a kid” again, but it’s true. Back then they were all over the radio and later the television map. Both Arthur Godfrey in the 40s and Dick Clark in the 50s made a run at me. They had me dreaming of an ing career. Singing. Dancing. I ended up teaching.
In the classroom my role changed. I became a searcher. I discovered some monstrous talent – or was it just some talented monsters?
So that is the key to the popularity of these shows. I think it is that many people love to live vicariously on the dreams of others. Me. I snore when I dream.
And what do those skimpy costumes have to do with dancing?
Post Script: I say a sad farewell to one of my favorite directors, Sidney Pollack. He is responsible for many classics including my favorite CIA-type film, the underappreciated “Three Days Of Condor.”
Monday, May 26, 2008
Nobody Daily – 5/26/08
Memorial Day
Nobody Asked Me But:
WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE
words and music by Pete Seeger
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?
Nobody Asked Me But:
WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE
words and music by Pete Seeger
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Nobody Daily 5/20/08
Nobody Asked Me But:
I want to tell you about a book I just finished, “Edenville Owls” by Robert Parker
Radios the size of television sets/One Man’s Family/the Kraft Music Hall/fireside chats/ The Friday Night Fights with Don Dunphy The Lux Radio Theater/Get Wildwood Cream Oil, Charlie/LS-MFT/Steve Wilson of the Illustrated Press and his girlfriend Lorelei Kilbourn/Mr. District Attorney/I Love A Mystery.
Robert B. Parker takes us back to the 1940s in his first novel for teens. One of the masters of mystery fiction, Parker, the creator of Spenser, Susan and Hawk, tells us a story about Bobby Murphy and his junior high buddies, the Edenville Owls.
World War II has just ended, and, the Owls, a traveling basketball team with talent and heart but no coach, are playing games against junior varsity teams in the area. They could do that because these were more unstructured times.
The Owls and playing basketball are great, but Bobby has other things on his mind as well. There is his best friend, Joanie. He can tell her everything. But is this enough? Or does he really want his girl friend to be his girlfriend?
And there is his pretty and troubled new teacher, Miss Delaney. Who is the mysterious man who threatens her, and what can the Owls and Joanie do to save her?
Parker mixes sports, mystery, 1940s nostalgia and a post-war Nazi menace. They blend well. Robert B. has written a fine book for a new audience.
Oh, and is it just a coincidence that his teen heroes, Bobby and Joanie have the same first names as Parker and his wife to whom he dedicates this and all of his other books?
I want to tell you about a book I just finished, “Edenville Owls” by Robert Parker
Radios the size of television sets/One Man’s Family/the Kraft Music Hall/fireside chats/ The Friday Night Fights with Don Dunphy The Lux Radio Theater/Get Wildwood Cream Oil, Charlie/LS-MFT/Steve Wilson of the Illustrated Press and his girlfriend Lorelei Kilbourn/Mr. District Attorney/I Love A Mystery.
Robert B. Parker takes us back to the 1940s in his first novel for teens. One of the masters of mystery fiction, Parker, the creator of Spenser, Susan and Hawk, tells us a story about Bobby Murphy and his junior high buddies, the Edenville Owls.
World War II has just ended, and, the Owls, a traveling basketball team with talent and heart but no coach, are playing games against junior varsity teams in the area. They could do that because these were more unstructured times.
The Owls and playing basketball are great, but Bobby has other things on his mind as well. There is his best friend, Joanie. He can tell her everything. But is this enough? Or does he really want his girl friend to be his girlfriend?
And there is his pretty and troubled new teacher, Miss Delaney. Who is the mysterious man who threatens her, and what can the Owls and Joanie do to save her?
Parker mixes sports, mystery, 1940s nostalgia and a post-war Nazi menace. They blend well. Robert B. has written a fine book for a new audience.
Oh, and is it just a coincidence that his teen heroes, Bobby and Joanie have the same first names as Parker and his wife to whom he dedicates this and all of his other books?
Monday, May 19, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5/19/08
Nobody Asked Me But:
We could have been killed.
It was a simple procedure. I wait for the green light, pull out cautiously and turn on Balboa. The light changed. I checked. All cars in both directions completely stopped. I eased out. Suddenly, Barbara yelled, “Watch out!” A car coming south in the lane closest to the center, not even in sight when my green appeared and I slowly started my move, was suddenly THERE and flashed through the intersection and red light without hint of brake or a driver’s glance.
This is why I, a long-time civil libertarian, strongly support intersection cameras to discourage these potential killers. Yes, I know the slippery slope argument - give “big brother” a little of your liberty and they will take a lot. I have used it many times. But I also know that freedom is not a license to destroy the innocent. So I am willing to give them the inch and stop them before they take the mile.
We could have been killed.
It was a simple procedure. I wait for the green light, pull out cautiously and turn on Balboa. The light changed. I checked. All cars in both directions completely stopped. I eased out. Suddenly, Barbara yelled, “Watch out!” A car coming south in the lane closest to the center, not even in sight when my green appeared and I slowly started my move, was suddenly THERE and flashed through the intersection and red light without hint of brake or a driver’s glance.
This is why I, a long-time civil libertarian, strongly support intersection cameras to discourage these potential killers. Yes, I know the slippery slope argument - give “big brother” a little of your liberty and they will take a lot. I have used it many times. But I also know that freedom is not a license to destroy the innocent. So I am willing to give them the inch and stop them before they take the mile.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Laker All-time
Nobody Daily – 5/17/08
Nobody Asked Me But:
Tracy or Hepburn? Newman or Redford? West or Bryant? How can I choose between any one of these pairs? Luckily for the first two I don’t have to, but with Jerry West and Kobe Bryant vying for the fifth spot on my all-time Laker team, I am stuck.
Although Laker history is filled with the names of some of the all-time greats, the first four spots are relatively easy:
PG - Magic
C - Kareem
PF - Worthy
SF – Baylor.
So who starts at shooting guard, Mr. NBA Logo, Jerry West, or the man good enough to have only one NBA name, Kobe? My first instinct is to cheat by moving Magic to point power forward and have “Big Game James” Worthy come off the bench. But I will not let myself get away with that. So I will make the impossible choice and pick Kobe.
I am sorry Jerry. You were magnificent.
Joining Jerry on my second team are:
C – Wilt
F – Wilkes
F - Cooper
G - West
G – Goodrich
How great a second team is that with no room for Shaq? You be the judge.
Nobody Asked Me But:
Tracy or Hepburn? Newman or Redford? West or Bryant? How can I choose between any one of these pairs? Luckily for the first two I don’t have to, but with Jerry West and Kobe Bryant vying for the fifth spot on my all-time Laker team, I am stuck.
Although Laker history is filled with the names of some of the all-time greats, the first four spots are relatively easy:
PG - Magic
C - Kareem
PF - Worthy
SF – Baylor.
So who starts at shooting guard, Mr. NBA Logo, Jerry West, or the man good enough to have only one NBA name, Kobe? My first instinct is to cheat by moving Magic to point power forward and have “Big Game James” Worthy come off the bench. But I will not let myself get away with that. So I will make the impossible choice and pick Kobe.
I am sorry Jerry. You were magnificent.
Joining Jerry on my second team are:
C – Wilt
F – Wilkes
F - Cooper
G - West
G – Goodrich
How great a second team is that with no room for Shaq? You be the judge.
Nobody Daily - 5/17/08
Nobody Asked Me But:
Tracy or Hepburn? Newman or Redford? West or Bryant? How can I choose between any one of these pairs? Luckily for the first two I don’t have to, but with Jerry West and Kobe Bryant vying for the fifth spot on my all-time Laker team, I am stuck.
Although Laker history is filled with the names of some of the all-time greats, the first four spots are relatively easy:
PG - Magic
C - Kareem
PF - Worthy
SF – Baylor.
So who starts at shooting guard, Mr. NBA Logo, Jerry West, or the man good enough to have only one NBA name, Kobe? My first instinct is to cheat by moving Magic to point power forward and have “Big Game James” Worthy come off the bench. But I will not let myself get away with that. So I will make the impossible choice and pick Kobe.
I am sorry Jerry. You were magnificent.
Joining Jerry on my second team are:
C – Wilt
F – Wilkes
F - Cooper
G - West
G – Goodrich
How great a second team is that with no room for Shaq? You be the judge.
Tracy or Hepburn? Newman or Redford? West or Bryant? How can I choose between any one of these pairs? Luckily for the first two I don’t have to, but with Jerry West and Kobe Bryant vying for the fifth spot on my all-time Laker team, I am stuck.
Although Laker history is filled with the names of some of the all-time greats, the first four spots are relatively easy:
PG - Magic
C - Kareem
PF - Worthy
SF – Baylor.
So who starts at shooting guard, Mr. NBA Logo, Jerry West, or the man good enough to have only one NBA name, Kobe? My first instinct is to cheat by moving Magic to point power forward and have “Big Game James” Worthy come off the bench. But I will not let myself get away with that. So I will make the impossible choice and pick Kobe.
I am sorry Jerry. You were magnificent.
Joining Jerry on my second team are:
C – Wilt
F – Wilkes
F - Cooper
G - West
G – Goodrich
How great a second team is that with no room for Shaq? You be the judge.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5/16/08
Nobody Asked Me But:
There is a huge reaction this morning to yesterday’s ruling by the California Supreme Court that overturned the state’s ban on gay marriage. The vote was close (4-3) and a little surprising in that the majority of the court justices are conservatives. Also surprising and gratifying is the results of an on-line poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times in which 80% of those responding agreed with the decision. Hopefully this is an indicator that any attempt to overturn the decision by Constitutional Initiative will fail.
I think the issue divides people into three groups - those who favor, those whose opposition is based on tradition and those who are homophobic.
I was once with the second group, but several years ago, I switched to the first. I did so because I realized that tradition is often the refuge for indefensible positions such as the long-defended ban on interracial marriage and that institutions must be judged on present merit rather than past custom. And merit, to me, declares that love and not sexual orientation should be deciding factor that answers the question of who should marry.
I am not going to say very much about the third group. Homophobia contains its own self-destructive core. But I will point out two areas of hypocrisy among the opponents. First, there is the ill-named “Liberty Counsel” whose main effort is to deny liberty. Second, there are those who devour their own, who support conservative judges as long as their decisions are pleasing but label them as activists when they stray from the Far Right Gospel.
Can you look at the joyful faces of gay couples after the decision was announced and tell me that it was wrong, that love shouldn’t prevail? I don’t think so.
There is a huge reaction this morning to yesterday’s ruling by the California Supreme Court that overturned the state’s ban on gay marriage. The vote was close (4-3) and a little surprising in that the majority of the court justices are conservatives. Also surprising and gratifying is the results of an on-line poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times in which 80% of those responding agreed with the decision. Hopefully this is an indicator that any attempt to overturn the decision by Constitutional Initiative will fail.
I think the issue divides people into three groups - those who favor, those whose opposition is based on tradition and those who are homophobic.
I was once with the second group, but several years ago, I switched to the first. I did so because I realized that tradition is often the refuge for indefensible positions such as the long-defended ban on interracial marriage and that institutions must be judged on present merit rather than past custom. And merit, to me, declares that love and not sexual orientation should be deciding factor that answers the question of who should marry.
I am not going to say very much about the third group. Homophobia contains its own self-destructive core. But I will point out two areas of hypocrisy among the opponents. First, there is the ill-named “Liberty Counsel” whose main effort is to deny liberty. Second, there are those who devour their own, who support conservative judges as long as their decisions are pleasing but label them as activists when they stray from the Far Right Gospel.
Can you look at the joyful faces of gay couples after the decision was announced and tell me that it was wrong, that love shouldn’t prevail? I don’t think so.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5/15/08
Nobody Asked Me But:
By the numbers
3 – America’s position in the Middle East. According to David Miller, in his recently published book, “The Much Too Promised Land,” we are:
“not liked,”
“not feared,”
“not respected.”
Thank you George Bush and all your predecessors who worship(ed) at the alter of big profits.
4 – Reasons that I will not vote for John McCain
He is a Republican.
He is a Republican who likes bad Supreme Court justices.
He is a Republican who wants long commitments for American troops in places they never should have gone in the first place.
He is a Republican who casts his Senate vote in agreement with Bush 95% of the time.
That’s four strikes and he is out.
5 – UCLA basketball recruits for next fall
Jrue Holiday
Jerime Anderson
Malcom Lee
Drew Gordan
J'mison Morgan
With these five and the players returning a forth-straight trip to the Final Four is a real possibility. What a great time to be a passionate Bruin fan!
By the numbers
3 – America’s position in the Middle East. According to David Miller, in his recently published book, “The Much Too Promised Land,” we are:
“not liked,”
“not feared,”
“not respected.”
Thank you George Bush and all your predecessors who worship(ed) at the alter of big profits.
4 – Reasons that I will not vote for John McCain
He is a Republican.
He is a Republican who likes bad Supreme Court justices.
He is a Republican who wants long commitments for American troops in places they never should have gone in the first place.
He is a Republican who casts his Senate vote in agreement with Bush 95% of the time.
That’s four strikes and he is out.
5 – UCLA basketball recruits for next fall
Jrue Holiday
Jerime Anderson
Malcom Lee
Drew Gordan
J'mison Morgan
With these five and the players returning a forth-straight trip to the Final Four is a real possibility. What a great time to be a passionate Bruin fan!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5/14/08
Nobody Asked Me But:
"I am the candidate of working, hard-working, white Americans." Hillary Clinton
“Psssst - He's a black man.” Maureen Dowd, NY Times
It is not going to happen. She will not be the candidate. But I will not vote for Hillary if she is the Democratic nominee. There is no way that I would consider voting for a racist, even one of convenience, to be my president. Since she fell behind, Clinton has consistently taken the low road in her campaign, but never this low.
Mike Luckovich, of the Atlanta Constitution, is, in my opinion, the best political cartoonist in America. He summarized Clinton’s despicable tactics over the weekend in a two-panel drawing in which HC says:
“When it comes to who's best for this country, Obama's wrong……and I'm white.”
"I am the candidate of working, hard-working, white Americans." Hillary Clinton
“Psssst - He's a black man.” Maureen Dowd, NY Times
It is not going to happen. She will not be the candidate. But I will not vote for Hillary if she is the Democratic nominee. There is no way that I would consider voting for a racist, even one of convenience, to be my president. Since she fell behind, Clinton has consistently taken the low road in her campaign, but never this low.
Mike Luckovich, of the Atlanta Constitution, is, in my opinion, the best political cartoonist in America. He summarized Clinton’s despicable tactics over the weekend in a two-panel drawing in which HC says:
“When it comes to who's best for this country, Obama's wrong……and I'm white.”
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5/8/08
Nobody Asked Me But:
It’s the money, stupid. When Hillary’s donors quit, which may be very soon, so will she.
Campaign memories: I will remember Hillary as someone who wanted the presidency too much. I will remember Bill as a huge disappointment.
Harvard law professor, Randall Kennedy, is a man after my own heart. When asked by Newsweek to name a classic he never read, answered “War And Peace.” When asked why: “laziness.”
Did you know: That Burlington, VT is the smallest city that is the largest city in a state in the U.S.?
14 – the number of days until the new Indiana Jones comes out.
2 – the number of hours until we leave for Carmel.
It’s the money, stupid. When Hillary’s donors quit, which may be very soon, so will she.
Campaign memories: I will remember Hillary as someone who wanted the presidency too much. I will remember Bill as a huge disappointment.
Harvard law professor, Randall Kennedy, is a man after my own heart. When asked by Newsweek to name a classic he never read, answered “War And Peace.” When asked why: “laziness.”
Did you know: That Burlington, VT is the smallest city that is the largest city in a state in the U.S.?
14 – the number of days until the new Indiana Jones comes out.
2 – the number of hours until we leave for Carmel.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5/5/08
Nobody Daily - 5/5/08
Nobody Asked Me But:
Did you know:
That Bugs Bunny has appeared in drag upward of 40 times over the course of his 57-year career?
That Indonesia has the most mammal species in the world? (667) (The United States is 5th with 468.)
That the United States leads the world both as the country with the highest prison population (2,193,798) and the highest number of prisoners per 100,000 population? (737)
That Bangladesh and Chad are tied in the rankings of the most corrupt country in the world, (most likely to accept bribes) while Iceland is the least likely?
That in Chad (there’s that country again) 99.9 percent of the women are married by the age of 50? However, that is only good enough for 5th place behind 4 countries tied at 100% - Gambia, Comoros, Ghana and Nauru. In the United States it is 93.9%.
That Chad is somewhat "better" in the number of men who marry? It ranks first at 100%, which makes one wonder what happens to the other 1/10th of 1% the women who live there.
Nobody Asked Me But:
Did you know:
That Bugs Bunny has appeared in drag upward of 40 times over the course of his 57-year career?
That Indonesia has the most mammal species in the world? (667) (The United States is 5th with 468.)
That the United States leads the world both as the country with the highest prison population (2,193,798) and the highest number of prisoners per 100,000 population? (737)
That Bangladesh and Chad are tied in the rankings of the most corrupt country in the world, (most likely to accept bribes) while Iceland is the least likely?
That in Chad (there’s that country again) 99.9 percent of the women are married by the age of 50? However, that is only good enough for 5th place behind 4 countries tied at 100% - Gambia, Comoros, Ghana and Nauru. In the United States it is 93.9%.
That Chad is somewhat "better" in the number of men who marry? It ranks first at 100%, which makes one wonder what happens to the other 1/10th of 1% the women who live there.
Nobody Daily - 5/4/08
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Nobody Asked Me But:
THE AGE OF HO, HUM
Most Americans: “I hate the war in Iraq. Ho, Hum.”
Most Americans: “Its wrong for trigger-happy security contractors to kill innocent Iraqis! Ho, Hum.”
Most Americans: “Shoddy electrical work by American construction contractors means our soldiers get electrocuted while taking a shower. That’s just plain wrong. Ho, Hum.”
Most Americans: “I can’t afford these rip-off gas prices. Ho, Hum.”
Despite all their excess, give me the sixties. At least people back then cared enough to fight back against injustice.
Today’s theme seems to be:
WE ARE MAD AS HELL, AND WE ARE GOING TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT!
Nobody Asked Me But:
THE AGE OF HO, HUM
Most Americans: “I hate the war in Iraq. Ho, Hum.”
Most Americans: “Its wrong for trigger-happy security contractors to kill innocent Iraqis! Ho, Hum.”
Most Americans: “Shoddy electrical work by American construction contractors means our soldiers get electrocuted while taking a shower. That’s just plain wrong. Ho, Hum.”
Most Americans: “I can’t afford these rip-off gas prices. Ho, Hum.”
Despite all their excess, give me the sixties. At least people back then cared enough to fight back against injustice.
Today’s theme seems to be:
WE ARE MAD AS HELL, AND WE ARE GOING TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT!
Nobody Daily - 5/7/08
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Nobody Asked Me But:
On July 20th, we plan to celebrate our 19th anniversary in Mendocino where I proposed 20 years ago that day. Yesterday I asked Barb for her view on why we have been so happy.
“That’s easy,” she said. “We both love the same man.”
Political thought on the morning after Obama (probably) cinched the nomination.
Of the two Republican candidates, McCain and Hillary, whom do I like best? Both favor the phony summer gas tax suspension. McCain continues the myth/lie that conservative judges are not activists. Clinton loves it when people say she has balls and is trying to prove them right by stealing Florida - a Bush-league act if there ever was one. She also says that her bomb is bigger than McCain’s, and she will prove it by dropping it on Iran.
Who do I like best? Neither.
Obama’s biggest problem:
The only Democrat in the race, he remains the man of reason who looks lost midst the men of bowling and beer. This begs the question - in November can he win a brains verses balls election? Given that McCain has a triple handicap - age, ideas and a Bush on his back, I like Barack’s chances.
Nobody Asked Me But:
On July 20th, we plan to celebrate our 19th anniversary in Mendocino where I proposed 20 years ago that day. Yesterday I asked Barb for her view on why we have been so happy.
“That’s easy,” she said. “We both love the same man.”
Political thought on the morning after Obama (probably) cinched the nomination.
Of the two Republican candidates, McCain and Hillary, whom do I like best? Both favor the phony summer gas tax suspension. McCain continues the myth/lie that conservative judges are not activists. Clinton loves it when people say she has balls and is trying to prove them right by stealing Florida - a Bush-league act if there ever was one. She also says that her bomb is bigger than McCain’s, and she will prove it by dropping it on Iran.
Who do I like best? Neither.
Obama’s biggest problem:
The only Democrat in the race, he remains the man of reason who looks lost midst the men of bowling and beer. This begs the question - in November can he win a brains verses balls election? Given that McCain has a triple handicap - age, ideas and a Bush on his back, I like Barack’s chances.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5/6/08
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Nobody Asked Me But:
No, I don’t think, as some people do, that we have become a second world nation. But I do agree that we have affluenza. We are more concerned with maintaining and improving our already more than comfortable lifestyle than we are in maintaining and improving our infrastructure. We have allowed our nation to become middle-aged.
We were once the world’s banker. Now our politicians look to other nations, large and small, to bail us out of our financial difficulties.
We were once a building nation. New York City skyscrapers, California’s K through college public education system, the world’s largest network of super highways, in these we were the envy of the world. We invested in our future. Now if you want to see tomorrow’s building and development, you look abroad.
Thomas Friedman, in his first NY Times column since returning from his leave to write his latest book, describes it like this:
“A few weeks ago, my wife and I flew from New York’s Kennedy Airport to Singapore. In J.F.K.’s waiting lounge we could barely find a place to sit. Eighteen hours later, we landed at Singapore’s ultramodern airport, with free Internet portals and children’s play zones throughout. We felt, as we have before, like we had just flown from the Flintstones to the Jetsons. If all Americans could compare Berlin’s luxurious central train station today with the grimy, decrepit Penn Station in New York City, they would swear we were the ones who lost World War II.”
What happened? We have become a fat and lazy nation. Our leaders talk of comfort rather than challenge. We would rather dream of selling up to a million dollar house than of walking on the moon.
However, I remain an optimist about America. I believe that we can break the complacency cycle. But it will not be broken unless and until we again chose leaders who offer hard choices today, who remind us that when we stop dreaming, we stop growing.
Here is the Friedman column that I mentioned. It is a must read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/opinion/04friedman.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Nobody Asked Me But:
No, I don’t think, as some people do, that we have become a second world nation. But I do agree that we have affluenza. We are more concerned with maintaining and improving our already more than comfortable lifestyle than we are in maintaining and improving our infrastructure. We have allowed our nation to become middle-aged.
We were once the world’s banker. Now our politicians look to other nations, large and small, to bail us out of our financial difficulties.
We were once a building nation. New York City skyscrapers, California’s K through college public education system, the world’s largest network of super highways, in these we were the envy of the world. We invested in our future. Now if you want to see tomorrow’s building and development, you look abroad.
Thomas Friedman, in his first NY Times column since returning from his leave to write his latest book, describes it like this:
“A few weeks ago, my wife and I flew from New York’s Kennedy Airport to Singapore. In J.F.K.’s waiting lounge we could barely find a place to sit. Eighteen hours later, we landed at Singapore’s ultramodern airport, with free Internet portals and children’s play zones throughout. We felt, as we have before, like we had just flown from the Flintstones to the Jetsons. If all Americans could compare Berlin’s luxurious central train station today with the grimy, decrepit Penn Station in New York City, they would swear we were the ones who lost World War II.”
What happened? We have become a fat and lazy nation. Our leaders talk of comfort rather than challenge. We would rather dream of selling up to a million dollar house than of walking on the moon.
However, I remain an optimist about America. I believe that we can break the complacency cycle. But it will not be broken unless and until we again chose leaders who offer hard choices today, who remind us that when we stop dreaming, we stop growing.
Here is the Friedman column that I mentioned. It is a must read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/opinion/04friedman.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Nobody Daily - 5308
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Nobody Asked Me But:
Argue! Listen! Argue! Listen! Probably compromise! Decide!
According to Newsweek columnist Howard Fineman’s current best seller, “The Thirteen American Arguments,” (Random House, $25.00) that’s the democratic way and, throughout the best moments of our history, that’s the American way. For weren’t the colonies born in argument? My religion or my politics or my prosperity is just as important as yours.
But it started even before this. The roots of modern argument and, thus, modern democracy can be found in the Enlightenment and the Reformation. These movements were the great turning point arguments as individuals claimed independence from authority both religious and political. Luther, Newton, Bacon, Milton, Locke. All these men and more were great arguers.
So too were the revolutionaries and the founding fathers. And they found an eager audience. “Common Sense” sold 600,000 copies to a population of 3 million. The Declaration of Independence was a legal brief straight out of Blackstone’s Commentaries. The Constitution was Newtonian clockwork – the gravitational pull of checks and balances, its open-endedness, its brevity, all arguments waiting to happen.
Nobody Asked Me But:
Argue! Listen! Argue! Listen! Probably compromise! Decide!
According to Newsweek columnist Howard Fineman’s current best seller, “The Thirteen American Arguments,” (Random House, $25.00) that’s the democratic way and, throughout the best moments of our history, that’s the American way. For weren’t the colonies born in argument? My religion or my politics or my prosperity is just as important as yours.
But it started even before this. The roots of modern argument and, thus, modern democracy can be found in the Enlightenment and the Reformation. These movements were the great turning point arguments as individuals claimed independence from authority both religious and political. Luther, Newton, Bacon, Milton, Locke. All these men and more were great arguers.
So too were the revolutionaries and the founding fathers. And they found an eager audience. “Common Sense” sold 600,000 copies to a population of 3 million. The Declaration of Independence was a legal brief straight out of Blackstone’s Commentaries. The Constitution was Newtonian clockwork – the gravitational pull of checks and balances, its open-endedness, its brevity, all arguments waiting to happen.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Nobody - Friday, 5/2/08
Friday, May 2, 2008
Nobody Asked Me But:
Americans and liberals:
I was in Tucson yesterday and the television at my hotel was set to Fox News. I contemplated an immediate checkout, but my better angel, the one who believes in listening to the other side, won. I stayed. In a few short minutes, Ann Coulter, spokeswoman for the brain-dead, showed up.
She was talking gleefully about the possibility that Barack Obama might be losing support because of being judged guilty by association with the Reverend Jeremieh Wright. She rejoiced that “Americans and liberals” were outraged by the Reverend’s views.
Ann Coulter is too dumb to be dangerous on her own. However, those who listen and agree are to be feared, because there is no room in their America for diversity or dissent or liberals.
Nobody Asked Me But:
Americans and liberals:
I was in Tucson yesterday and the television at my hotel was set to Fox News. I contemplated an immediate checkout, but my better angel, the one who believes in listening to the other side, won. I stayed. In a few short minutes, Ann Coulter, spokeswoman for the brain-dead, showed up.
She was talking gleefully about the possibility that Barack Obama might be losing support because of being judged guilty by association with the Reverend Jeremieh Wright. She rejoiced that “Americans and liberals” were outraged by the Reverend’s views.
Ann Coulter is too dumb to be dangerous on her own. However, those who listen and agree are to be feared, because there is no room in their America for diversity or dissent or liberals.
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