Maybe you will think that I have too much time on my hands when I declare that I am sick of the so-called News media.
I generally read two newspapers in the morning: The Boston Globe and WSJ. The intent of course was to acheive a balanced viewpoint after digesting the editorial predilections of these two highly respected organs of information.
On the "news" pages you might expect to see the same factual items about local and world events. After all "news" should be "facts," right? Then in the analysis and opinion sections, you might expect to read more colored interpretations of what the news means to the reader.
But it does not work that way. The news is virtually indistinguishable from the editorial pages except in the structure of the presentation. Editors filter what we should know about, and slant headlines to ideolgogical ends (i.e., Globe: Kerry=good; Bush=evil. WSJ: Bush=staying the course; Kerry=flip-flopper).
Even on page one, reporters are allowed to speculate on how "underwhelming" the response was to one candidate's speech. And unpopular news - such as the UN oil-for-food scandal, where UN officials are implicated in a corrupt plot to make Saddam rich at the expense of the Iraqi children - is supressed.
And it isn't just the papers. It seems like every time you switch on the TV these days, you are blitzed by the same pictures of some live or dead celebrity. Last week it was Reagan in his prime, smiling and waving. This week it is Clinton, biting his lip, looking chastened, as if that would make you want to read about his life. (No thanks, I already know more about Clinton's checkered past than I can stomach.)
It doesn't matter what channel you watch. They are all alike. You can switch from network to cable and get roughly the same thing. Talking heads spinning their version of what is going on. As if we need to know "What would Laci Peterson think?" Or, those tired out clips of Osama Bin Laden firing his weapon, Saddam having his mouth inspected, and the terrorist training camp clips. It's just tedious. Not news.
For example, I have to chuckle at the 10 O'clock news on Fox. They have an hour to present about 10 minutes of footage on current events. So they fluff up the broadcast with 30 minutes of teasers. The Weather guy grins for the camera, "Will the tornado hit your neighborhood? Stay tuned for details!" An attractive reporter stands alone in front of a building. "You won't believe what happend here to innocent puppies. Details coming up." And so it goes. The ardent news consumer is assailed by non news, commercials and "live", "exclusive" reports. It is a big waste of time. I pick on Fox but it is the same on the other channels as well.
And the cable "talk" shows are nothing but people shouting at each another.
Thankfully we are going on vacation soon, so I can take some time off to lay on the beach and think about Eternity rather than wasting my time trying to understand current events.
Vacation? I know what you are thinking "Don't you have to have a job to get a vacation?" Tune in at 11 for my response.
6/22/2004
6/19/2004
Fishing
They say a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work. I decided to take a day off from not-doing-anything and went fishing yesterday with a group of former workmates from the Urban Diploma Factory. It's been an annual event for them for about twenty years. I have gone along a few times - I think this was my fourth.
The boat leaves the dock in Gloucester at 6:45am, so it is a serious comitment to sign up for the trip. Approximately 25-30 people were on board when I got there. Some of them were looking worried about the fog and drizzle. And the cold. It gets pretty breezy on the water when the sun is not out.
Unlike my historical attendance record at work meetings, I was on-time at the docks. I had stopped at Dunkin Donut for two Boston Kreme donuts, which I refer to as "seasick pills." I have learned that I don't get seasick on a full stomach. Some of the stalwart fishermen were already popping the tops of their cans of bud as we cleared the harbor. Too early for me.
We steamed (steamed sounds more appealing than "dieseled" don't you think) eastward for about an hour. At a depth of about 200 ft under misty skies, we dropped our lines over the side, and to my shock and surprise we started catching fish.
After reeling in what felt like a truck tire I finally landed a big codfish (9-10 lbs easy. For a while it was the biggest catch, but someone on the other side brought in a 12 pounder and my moment of supremacy passed.
I caught 4 more keepers and a few small fry. By the end of the day my arms were so tired that only the vigorous hydration of malt beverages could relieve the discomfort.
It was a good day fishing. Which is second only to winning the lottery.
The boat leaves the dock in Gloucester at 6:45am, so it is a serious comitment to sign up for the trip. Approximately 25-30 people were on board when I got there. Some of them were looking worried about the fog and drizzle. And the cold. It gets pretty breezy on the water when the sun is not out.
Unlike my historical attendance record at work meetings, I was on-time at the docks. I had stopped at Dunkin Donut for two Boston Kreme donuts, which I refer to as "seasick pills." I have learned that I don't get seasick on a full stomach. Some of the stalwart fishermen were already popping the tops of their cans of bud as we cleared the harbor. Too early for me.
We steamed (steamed sounds more appealing than "dieseled" don't you think) eastward for about an hour. At a depth of about 200 ft under misty skies, we dropped our lines over the side, and to my shock and surprise we started catching fish.
After reeling in what felt like a truck tire I finally landed a big codfish (9-10 lbs easy. For a while it was the biggest catch, but someone on the other side brought in a 12 pounder and my moment of supremacy passed.
I caught 4 more keepers and a few small fry. By the end of the day my arms were so tired that only the vigorous hydration of malt beverages could relieve the discomfort.
It was a good day fishing. Which is second only to winning the lottery.
6/11/2004
Another Excuse Not to Work
Thankfully today, is the last day of the Reagan Memorial extravaganza. At first I was appropriately saddened by the memory and passing of the last great Leader this country has had. Now, I am ready to move on.
Our Republican Governor, Mitt Romney has declared this an official day of mourning. He gave all "nonessential" state workers a day off with pay. I think he should just fire all the non-essential workers and cut taxes. But, as usual, he did not consult with me on this decision.
Predictably, the idealogues on both sides cannot stop their partisan yapping long enough to consider the tremendous popularity of Reagan. Look at all the people who cared so much that they would wait hours, and travel hundreds of miles, just to spend a minute in front of a flag draped coffin. (I think it was empty; can anyone prove me wrong?)
For the most part, I remember the Reagan years fondly. We were raising our family, doing well enough to build a vacation house in New Hampshire. Life seemed pretty good.
A life long Democrat, I thought Reagan was wrong about a lot of things (eg, Iran-Contra, bailing-out of Beruit, running up the deficit while giving tax cuts). But I did support the mass firing of the striking Air Traffic Controllers. (Did I mention that I don't like strikers, especially the ones with all those cushy government benefits.) And, his "tear Down this Wall," speech was as powerful oratory as I've ever heard.
He was not perfect, but he had a great sense of humor. He created a semi scandal when he was doing a voice test for the weekly radio broadcast and jokingly announced, "My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes."
Also he was a courageous Leader. Remember how quickly he recovered from the Hinkley assassination attempt? He was back in the saddle faster than Hopalong Cassidy after a shouldner nick. Certainly the greatest achievement of his administration was hastening the collapse of the Soviet Union. Political opponents cannot take that away from him. I think it trumps any failures of his presidency.
While we are in mourning, let's note the passing of another great celebrity of our times. Ray Charles died of liver problems, but the way I understand it he just did not want to live in a world where Snoop Dog was making more money than him.
Our Republican Governor, Mitt Romney has declared this an official day of mourning. He gave all "nonessential" state workers a day off with pay. I think he should just fire all the non-essential workers and cut taxes. But, as usual, he did not consult with me on this decision.
Predictably, the idealogues on both sides cannot stop their partisan yapping long enough to consider the tremendous popularity of Reagan. Look at all the people who cared so much that they would wait hours, and travel hundreds of miles, just to spend a minute in front of a flag draped coffin. (I think it was empty; can anyone prove me wrong?)
For the most part, I remember the Reagan years fondly. We were raising our family, doing well enough to build a vacation house in New Hampshire. Life seemed pretty good.
A life long Democrat, I thought Reagan was wrong about a lot of things (eg, Iran-Contra, bailing-out of Beruit, running up the deficit while giving tax cuts). But I did support the mass firing of the striking Air Traffic Controllers. (Did I mention that I don't like strikers, especially the ones with all those cushy government benefits.) And, his "tear Down this Wall," speech was as powerful oratory as I've ever heard.
He was not perfect, but he had a great sense of humor. He created a semi scandal when he was doing a voice test for the weekly radio broadcast and jokingly announced, "My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes."
Also he was a courageous Leader. Remember how quickly he recovered from the Hinkley assassination attempt? He was back in the saddle faster than Hopalong Cassidy after a shouldner nick. Certainly the greatest achievement of his administration was hastening the collapse of the Soviet Union. Political opponents cannot take that away from him. I think it trumps any failures of his presidency.
While we are in mourning, let's note the passing of another great celebrity of our times. Ray Charles died of liver problems, but the way I understand it he just did not want to live in a world where Snoop Dog was making more money than him.
6/09/2004
People Who Don't Want To Work
Nothing annoys me more than people who are willing to disrupt traffic to make their own political statement. On the TV news we see shots of Boston cops and firemen mugging inanely for the cameras, while they carry signs declaiming the lack of a contract. They are threatening to prevent work on the Fleet Center to get ready for the DNC in July if they don't get satisfaction.
Mayor Menino says he has offered over 11% in pay raises. This is apparently not enough for the municipal Patrolmen's Association extortionators. They are picketing even though they are too cowardly to actually go on strike themselves. (Ronald Regan set the very effective precedent as to how you deal with municipal employees who strike.) So instead of laying their jobs on the line, they intimidate electricians and truck drivers to risk their jobs. They call it solidarity, but it is really blackmail.
Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-union. I just think that the union should only exist to protect the workers from being exploited by rapacious management - not to blackmail the citizenry for unreasonable pay raises and benefits.
If I was emperor the rule would be: People who are unhappy with the working conditions do not have the right to block traffic or to harrass others. Shut up and get back to work, or quit and make room for someone who wants to work.
Funny how quickly the Hero status of Cops and Firemen fades when you see them, just like the rest of us, greedy and selfish.
Mayor Menino says he has offered over 11% in pay raises. This is apparently not enough for the municipal Patrolmen's Association extortionators. They are picketing even though they are too cowardly to actually go on strike themselves. (Ronald Regan set the very effective precedent as to how you deal with municipal employees who strike.) So instead of laying their jobs on the line, they intimidate electricians and truck drivers to risk their jobs. They call it solidarity, but it is really blackmail.
Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-union. I just think that the union should only exist to protect the workers from being exploited by rapacious management - not to blackmail the citizenry for unreasonable pay raises and benefits.
If I was emperor the rule would be: People who are unhappy with the working conditions do not have the right to block traffic or to harrass others. Shut up and get back to work, or quit and make room for someone who wants to work.
Funny how quickly the Hero status of Cops and Firemen fades when you see them, just like the rest of us, greedy and selfish.
6/07/2004
The Project Next Door
Ok that fries it. The neighbor’s are having an addition put on. Last week the tree guys came to take down three enormous pine trees that have been over shadowing both of our houses. I was pretty happy about that, since one of the trees was constantly dropping pine sap and dead limbs onto any cars parked in our driveway.
It was pretty entertaining, watching a 70 year-old coniferous work of nature reduced to a pile of wood chips in just a few minutes by three men (two of whom did not speak English) and some big noisy machinery.
Yesterday, the backhoe and the dump trucks arrived.
There goes my nice quiet summer. Reflecting on the nature of work does not take long when you see guys who really are doing physical labor. But the heavy equipment guys make ten times more than office guys and the tree guy says he make more in one day than he made in a whole week as a high wire electrician. He did confirm that the site boss was an asshole, just like working in an office.
But, somehow, going into a nice air conditioned office with indoor plumbing seemed somehow more doable to me than working with big heavy objects and machinery. Even if the wages are chump change compared to a crane operator. I know what you are thinking, comparisons are invidious.
I really need to get a job or join the Peace Corps – anything to get out of here until the construction work is done next door. Anyone need a professional drinking companion?
It was pretty entertaining, watching a 70 year-old coniferous work of nature reduced to a pile of wood chips in just a few minutes by three men (two of whom did not speak English) and some big noisy machinery.
Yesterday, the backhoe and the dump trucks arrived.
There goes my nice quiet summer. Reflecting on the nature of work does not take long when you see guys who really are doing physical labor. But the heavy equipment guys make ten times more than office guys and the tree guy says he make more in one day than he made in a whole week as a high wire electrician. He did confirm that the site boss was an asshole, just like working in an office.
But, somehow, going into a nice air conditioned office with indoor plumbing seemed somehow more doable to me than working with big heavy objects and machinery. Even if the wages are chump change compared to a crane operator. I know what you are thinking, comparisons are invidious.
I really need to get a job or join the Peace Corps – anything to get out of here until the construction work is done next door. Anyone need a professional drinking companion?
6/06/2004
By Their Deeds Measure Ours
Sixty years ago, on this day 6,000 young men were killed on the beaches of France in the D-Day invasion. I was two years old. President Bush wasn't born yet.
In the movie "Saving Private Ryan" the reality of the battle scene was startling and haunting. It made those of us who escaped the horror of battle feel a little guilty to be living in an era where the worst thing we can complain about is that our boss is an idiot and out 401K is not enough to retire at age 55.
Despite terrorist threats, most of us feel pretty secure here in the USA. The freedom and security that was earned by the heroes - those who fought in battle - is appreciated and our job is to be worthy of that gift.
On TV, we see the fields of Normandy where thousands upon thousands of crosses mark the graves of the American dead. This does not include the millions of civilians killed during the war by bombs and in camps. I read in the paper that Russia lost 20 million citizens and that was before Stalin killed a few more million. (By contrast 400 thousand Americans died.)
It is sad to consider the immense amount of destruction and suffering that can be caused by a few evil (or even misguided) men in power.
===========
Job Search Update
The discouraging thing about looking for work on the job boards is that the same companies continue to list the same jobs that were first posted months ago. They have not filled these positions which I have applied to - sometimes more than once. Yet, they have not called me. I am clearly being disqualified on some factor other than experience and knowledge.
Or maybe there are no real jobs. They post a bunch of fictitious jobs to make it look like they are growing, to boost their stock prices. It's a conspiracy, I tell you!
Meanwhile, the tomatoes are planted, the yard looks good, and I have managed to eliminate stress in my life. Well, almost. I still get annoyed when I see squirrels digging up the marigolds. Throwing stones at them is very theraputic, and it doesn't hurt the squirrels either.
In the movie "Saving Private Ryan" the reality of the battle scene was startling and haunting. It made those of us who escaped the horror of battle feel a little guilty to be living in an era where the worst thing we can complain about is that our boss is an idiot and out 401K is not enough to retire at age 55.
Despite terrorist threats, most of us feel pretty secure here in the USA. The freedom and security that was earned by the heroes - those who fought in battle - is appreciated and our job is to be worthy of that gift.
On TV, we see the fields of Normandy where thousands upon thousands of crosses mark the graves of the American dead. This does not include the millions of civilians killed during the war by bombs and in camps. I read in the paper that Russia lost 20 million citizens and that was before Stalin killed a few more million. (By contrast 400 thousand Americans died.)
It is sad to consider the immense amount of destruction and suffering that can be caused by a few evil (or even misguided) men in power.
===========
Job Search Update
The discouraging thing about looking for work on the job boards is that the same companies continue to list the same jobs that were first posted months ago. They have not filled these positions which I have applied to - sometimes more than once. Yet, they have not called me. I am clearly being disqualified on some factor other than experience and knowledge.
Or maybe there are no real jobs. They post a bunch of fictitious jobs to make it look like they are growing, to boost their stock prices. It's a conspiracy, I tell you!
Meanwhile, the tomatoes are planted, the yard looks good, and I have managed to eliminate stress in my life. Well, almost. I still get annoyed when I see squirrels digging up the marigolds. Throwing stones at them is very theraputic, and it doesn't hurt the squirrels either.
6/02/2004
Post Memorial Day Thoughts
Some self-appointed wag sent me an email noting that jobs were opening up every day in places like Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Excitement and high pay.
It got me to thinking about the current situation over there. I don't usually use this forum to get political, but I cannot help noticing the big sucking sound coming from Iraq. I cannot figure out if it is the whoosh of US taxpayer dollars being piped into the desert to make us safe from Osama Bin Laden, or whether it is the sound of the Iraqi Governing Council trying to get the hell out of Dodge before the world learns that when you hand democracy to theocrats you get totalitarianism.
In "The Fog of War" Robert MacNamara admits that big mistakes were made during the "Cold War" and Viet Nam, and most of them were because of bad intelligence and the failure to understand the motivation of the enemy. We didn't realize that North Vietnam would never be an ally of China - they had been at war for centuries. They did not want ANY occupying power. Castro had advised Kruschev to go ahead and launch the missiles on the US expecting that Cuba would have been vaporized in retaliation.
There seems to be a general feeling of doom about the future of Iraq. Everyone remembers the pictures of US troops evacuating Saigon which we should recall was followed by the killings of millions in Nam and Cambodia. As soon as we leave Iraq there will be a bloodbath. Those suspected of conspiring with America will be killed or run out of town. In the end, we have not accomplished anything, except to ruin our own economy, bleed our resources, give comfort and hope to our enemies and erode the trust and good will of our allies.
An expensive venture indeed.
It got me to thinking about the current situation over there. I don't usually use this forum to get political, but I cannot help noticing the big sucking sound coming from Iraq. I cannot figure out if it is the whoosh of US taxpayer dollars being piped into the desert to make us safe from Osama Bin Laden, or whether it is the sound of the Iraqi Governing Council trying to get the hell out of Dodge before the world learns that when you hand democracy to theocrats you get totalitarianism.
In "The Fog of War" Robert MacNamara admits that big mistakes were made during the "Cold War" and Viet Nam, and most of them were because of bad intelligence and the failure to understand the motivation of the enemy. We didn't realize that North Vietnam would never be an ally of China - they had been at war for centuries. They did not want ANY occupying power. Castro had advised Kruschev to go ahead and launch the missiles on the US expecting that Cuba would have been vaporized in retaliation.
There seems to be a general feeling of doom about the future of Iraq. Everyone remembers the pictures of US troops evacuating Saigon which we should recall was followed by the killings of millions in Nam and Cambodia. As soon as we leave Iraq there will be a bloodbath. Those suspected of conspiring with America will be killed or run out of town. In the end, we have not accomplished anything, except to ruin our own economy, bleed our resources, give comfort and hope to our enemies and erode the trust and good will of our allies.
An expensive venture indeed.
6/01/2004
The Elixer of Life
I read in the paper today that the former world's oldest person - a woman - has died at the age of 114. The story quoted her relatives as remarking that she loved beer and would order it with every meal.
Now, I don't recall the woman's name or anything else about her life, but if I owned a brewery, I would erect a statue of her in the parking lot to stand as an inspiration to my customers and employees. Of course, I might make her look a bit younger and more buxom.
I would never trivialize this woman's longevity by attributing it to beer consumption, but I think the evidence is compelling.
Now, I don't recall the woman's name or anything else about her life, but if I owned a brewery, I would erect a statue of her in the parking lot to stand as an inspiration to my customers and employees. Of course, I might make her look a bit younger and more buxom.
I would never trivialize this woman's longevity by attributing it to beer consumption, but I think the evidence is compelling.
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