This forum has been out of service due to Global Warming.
The man-made increase in greenhouse gasses that brought 8" of snow to places like New Orleans and Dallas last week also generated a wicked Ice storm that hit Worcester County here in Massachusetts.
Last Friday we got a call from our daughter who lives near Worcester. "We are trapped in the house with no heat or electricity. There are power lines and tree limbs all over the street. And I can't talk long because my cell phone battery is running low and I can't re-charge it. Can we come and stay with you?"
That was the first news I heard of the storm which had deposited freezing rain on tree limbs which became so heavy that they snapped and brought any wires down with them. The breaking limbs sounded like gunshots in a war zone.
Fortunately, with help from neighbors, the they were able to get heavy tree limbs out of the way so they could make their way out and escape the cold, dark cave that the house had become. They packed the contents of their dead refrigerator into plastic tubs along with some clothes and came to our house to wait for power to be restored.
So for the past week, we have been hosting the four refugees, turning my computer space, into a bedroom for the 2 active grandsons ages 8 and 6. It has been fun at times and challenging also - especially if one needs some quiet moments to write one's blog.
Last night, one full week later, they got news that electricity was back on. This morning, they returned home. Ergo, I have my writing space and the chaos is diminished.
The experience reminds us how illusionary is the safety and security of modern life. We take power, fresh water and heat for granted. We expect the supermarket and ATM machines to be available 24x7. As the Katrina debacle in New Orleans demonstrated a few years ago, we realize that we all are, in fact, a mere 36 hours from becoming savages.
It also underscores another fact of human existence: unless it is happening to us, we tend to be insensitive to the plight of others.
All is well for now. Perhaps some semblance of normalcy will return...
Wait! What is this on the news? Another 12 inches of snow this afternoon?
Curse you, global warming!
12/19/2008
11/18/2008
Post Colonoscopy post
Don't worry, I am not posting the video of my latest encounter with The Rear Admiral. Katie Courec already scooped the field of gastroenterologic porn. You might go to You-tube if you are looking for that sort of entertainment.
Lately, I have been thinking about things that we really need to make life bearable. With all the dire warnings about the failing economy and hard times, it's clear that the government needs to spend money more wisely.
I am not a fan of earmarks, but there is one area of medicine that I think deserves a hefty government subsidy: Finding a colonsocopy prep that doesn't taste like elephant ass.
Lately, I have been thinking about things that we really need to make life bearable. With all the dire warnings about the failing economy and hard times, it's clear that the government needs to spend money more wisely.
I am not a fan of earmarks, but there is one area of medicine that I think deserves a hefty government subsidy: Finding a colonsocopy prep that doesn't taste like elephant ass.
11/10/2008
Click
Like most of my fellow Americans I do not believe that we need government censorship. The recent interest in "The Fairness Doctrine" has thrown some of the local right wing talk show hosts into a state of screechy fear.
The righties are always blathering about the Liberal bias of "the mainstream media." So when they (quite accurately) observe that the major outlets of news and entertainment tend to slant liberal, they are always full of righteous (and somewhat pompous) indignation. In other words, they see a vast left wing conspiracy.
But if the majority of the most-watched news networks and programming are aimed at the vast (Liberal) majority of viewers, it would seem that the benefactors of the Fairness Doctrine would be the under-represented Conservatives. How is my logic flawed?
Despite the constant and eternal drumbeat of negativity towards anything not-conservative (ie, America hating Democrats), these pompous pundits worry that the fairness doctrine will put them out of business. Supporters hurry to defend the one-sided rants of these talk show hosts by citing the ubiquity of the mainstream. Note that Limbaugh and Savage and lessor known imitators seldom have guests - especially not anyone who can present an intellectual defense of an opposing position. Instead they entertain the loyal listeners with soundbites clipped out-of-context to which they mount their mocking attacks.
The public does not need the government to tell us what to listen to on the radio or TV. The FCC certainly has a legitimate role to ensure that the airwaves are not being used to promote illegal activities or to incite the public to acts of violence. But I do not want the government shutting-down Rush Limbaugh or Michael Savage in the name of the fairness doctrine.
Air America the anti- right wing network failed because it didn't attract enough listeners/sponsors. That is the American way - we abandon those who fail to entertain us.
My personal vote has been registered via my radio dial. I no longer listen to the local talk shows. The traditional role of talk radio as a place where one might hear a balanced perspective has been replaced by ego-maniacs on a mission. Not entertaining.
click
The righties are always blathering about the Liberal bias of "the mainstream media." So when they (quite accurately) observe that the major outlets of news and entertainment tend to slant liberal, they are always full of righteous (and somewhat pompous) indignation. In other words, they see a vast left wing conspiracy.
But if the majority of the most-watched news networks and programming are aimed at the vast (Liberal) majority of viewers, it would seem that the benefactors of the Fairness Doctrine would be the under-represented Conservatives. How is my logic flawed?
Despite the constant and eternal drumbeat of negativity towards anything not-conservative (ie, America hating Democrats), these pompous pundits worry that the fairness doctrine will put them out of business. Supporters hurry to defend the one-sided rants of these talk show hosts by citing the ubiquity of the mainstream. Note that Limbaugh and Savage and lessor known imitators seldom have guests - especially not anyone who can present an intellectual defense of an opposing position. Instead they entertain the loyal listeners with soundbites clipped out-of-context to which they mount their mocking attacks.
The public does not need the government to tell us what to listen to on the radio or TV. The FCC certainly has a legitimate role to ensure that the airwaves are not being used to promote illegal activities or to incite the public to acts of violence. But I do not want the government shutting-down Rush Limbaugh or Michael Savage in the name of the fairness doctrine.
Air America the anti- right wing network failed because it didn't attract enough listeners/sponsors. That is the American way - we abandon those who fail to entertain us.
My personal vote has been registered via my radio dial. I no longer listen to the local talk shows. The traditional role of talk radio as a place where one might hear a balanced perspective has been replaced by ego-maniacs on a mission. Not entertaining.
click
11/02/2008
McCain was on SNL last night. This time he was pretty good. Cindy also made an appearance. I got the impression that he figured "What the hell; I've got nothing to lose." He seemed to enjoy doing the skit with fake Sara Palin (Tina Fey).
Somewhere you will probably see a clip of last night's host Ben Aflec, stating that he supports John McCain for president. The clip will probably not include Aflec's build-up where he notes that every candidate that he has ever publicly supported from Dukakis to Gore to Kerry has lost. So in that spirit he hopes to ensure an Obama victory by publicly coming-out for McCain.
Barney Frank has an ad that shows a daisy chain of elephants mounting each other from the rear. He should fire the company that came up with that one. He totally blames the Republicans for the Wall street meltdown. He promises to clean up the mess when he is re-elected.
Well, this effing election thing is almost over. No October surprise. Gas is $2.56 per gallon. People are shopping for SUV's again. What a world.
Sign at the local Starbucks: "POLITICS Poly = many Tics=Blood-sucking parasites"
Well said.
Somewhere you will probably see a clip of last night's host Ben Aflec, stating that he supports John McCain for president. The clip will probably not include Aflec's build-up where he notes that every candidate that he has ever publicly supported from Dukakis to Gore to Kerry has lost. So in that spirit he hopes to ensure an Obama victory by publicly coming-out for McCain.
Barney Frank has an ad that shows a daisy chain of elephants mounting each other from the rear. He should fire the company that came up with that one. He totally blames the Republicans for the Wall street meltdown. He promises to clean up the mess when he is re-elected.
Well, this effing election thing is almost over. No October surprise. Gas is $2.56 per gallon. People are shopping for SUV's again. What a world.
Sign at the local Starbucks: "POLITICS Poly = many Tics=Blood-sucking parasites"
Well said.
10/31/2008
Hallowe'en Thoughts
Obama's expensive infomercial on Wednesday night was a yawn. Instead of a hard-hitting 5 minute spot, it was a rehash of everything we already know. After what seemed like 2 hours, I shut it off to go and sort my socks. What a colossal waste of campaign contributions - that could have been more effectively spent buying votes through ACORN :-)
If there was ever a subliminal advertising spot designed to convince people not to waste their hard earned money on contributions to political campaigns, this had to be it.
Seriously folks, next time you are tempted to write a check for your fave candidate, you must realize that you are actually funding those nasty TV ads and dumbass feel-good spots that we all mock and deride. They take your hard-earned money and waste it with idiotic attacks and self-serving video masturbation.
This is all designed to make you forget that the American Presidential nomination and election process somehow manages to disqualify anyone who would actually be a great leader. We always end up with two candidates, neither of whom would be trusted to properly run your town's recycling and disposal facility (Dump), never mind becoming head honcho of the freaking nation.
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One that same vein, the poor schmuck who is running against John Kerry was in the news yesterday. Jeff Beatty, largely unknown Republican, who has been waging a fruitless campaign to try to knock-off John Kerry in the US senatorial election, finally gets a little press coverage in the Boston Globe. Not because of his political positions, but because his hapless campaign paid a fundraising outfit 96% of every dollar raised on his behalf. This is not money spent on campaign expenses, posters, ads or anything that might help the candidate. This was the cost of raising the money. Paying the guys who solicited just enough money to pay their own costs. Talk about a black hole!
Even Kerry would not be that clueless. This is sad. People give money to politicians thinking that they are helping some noble effort. Yet, the recipients have so little respect for the earned dollar that they squander the money in stupid ways. Next time you are tempted to do something charitable with your money, you would be better off going down to the corner bar, and buying rounds of drinks for total strangers. At least then your money would be doing some good. And you would have a few more friends.
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My conservative friends probably see tonight's festivities as just one more step in the American dance toward Socialism. The slide down a slippery slope will be manifested in the gatherings of youth, who will be dressed in masks and costume and who will go around banging on their neighbors' doors, demanding treats and threatening dire tricks to be played upon the unwilling. Assets will be confiscated. Kid-hating elderly will turn off their lights and cower in their beds. Evil spirits will laugh at our shrinking nest eggs. It is training for the little goblins and pirates to grow into young Marxists who will come to believe that what's yours is also theirs.
Scary thoughts. Some of us will dull the pain with a few beers to help us sleep through it all.
If there was ever a subliminal advertising spot designed to convince people not to waste their hard earned money on contributions to political campaigns, this had to be it.
Seriously folks, next time you are tempted to write a check for your fave candidate, you must realize that you are actually funding those nasty TV ads and dumbass feel-good spots that we all mock and deride. They take your hard-earned money and waste it with idiotic attacks and self-serving video masturbation.
This is all designed to make you forget that the American Presidential nomination and election process somehow manages to disqualify anyone who would actually be a great leader. We always end up with two candidates, neither of whom would be trusted to properly run your town's recycling and disposal facility (Dump), never mind becoming head honcho of the freaking nation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One that same vein, the poor schmuck who is running against John Kerry was in the news yesterday. Jeff Beatty, largely unknown Republican, who has been waging a fruitless campaign to try to knock-off John Kerry in the US senatorial election, finally gets a little press coverage in the Boston Globe. Not because of his political positions, but because his hapless campaign paid a fundraising outfit 96% of every dollar raised on his behalf. This is not money spent on campaign expenses, posters, ads or anything that might help the candidate. This was the cost of raising the money. Paying the guys who solicited just enough money to pay their own costs. Talk about a black hole!
Even Kerry would not be that clueless. This is sad. People give money to politicians thinking that they are helping some noble effort. Yet, the recipients have so little respect for the earned dollar that they squander the money in stupid ways. Next time you are tempted to do something charitable with your money, you would be better off going down to the corner bar, and buying rounds of drinks for total strangers. At least then your money would be doing some good. And you would have a few more friends.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My conservative friends probably see tonight's festivities as just one more step in the American dance toward Socialism. The slide down a slippery slope will be manifested in the gatherings of youth, who will be dressed in masks and costume and who will go around banging on their neighbors' doors, demanding treats and threatening dire tricks to be played upon the unwilling. Assets will be confiscated. Kid-hating elderly will turn off their lights and cower in their beds. Evil spirits will laugh at our shrinking nest eggs. It is training for the little goblins and pirates to grow into young Marxists who will come to believe that what's yours is also theirs.
Scary thoughts. Some of us will dull the pain with a few beers to help us sleep through it all.
10/25/2008
Being Right can be Disappointing.
McCain/Palin voter support seems to be slipping away gradually like leaves from a maple tree in Autumn. Although no one openly agrees with polling results that favor the opposition, hardass conservatives must be munching Rolaids these days.
Their candidate has not galvanized the red states, the stock market declines are making voters wonder whether unfettered greed (i.e., Capitalism) is really the best system for America, and the camel is in the tent which is sliding down a slippery slope. Dark days are certainly ahead...
But the majority of you Maalox drinkers should have heart. President Obama will not be raising your taxes. It is those poor shmucks who are earning over one million USD per year that he will be targeting.
Think of poor Tina Fey, whose career stock has risen with her recent return to SNL, playing Sarah Palin, will burst like the housing bubble.
I suggest that Republican loyalists would do well do pray that Obama remains healthy during the next term or two.
Their candidate has not galvanized the red states, the stock market declines are making voters wonder whether unfettered greed (i.e., Capitalism) is really the best system for America, and the camel is in the tent which is sliding down a slippery slope. Dark days are certainly ahead...
But the majority of you Maalox drinkers should have heart. President Obama will not be raising your taxes. It is those poor shmucks who are earning over one million USD per year that he will be targeting.
Think of poor Tina Fey, whose career stock has risen with her recent return to SNL, playing Sarah Palin, will burst like the housing bubble.
I suggest that Republican loyalists would do well do pray that Obama remains healthy during the next term or two.
10/19/2008
Game 7
After giving up and going to bed at 11pm in game 5 and missing the Red Sox comeback from a 7-0 deficit, I realize I am considered a fairweather fan, but here I am again watching game 7 in the 4th inning with my guys ahead.
This is how I entertain myself during the repetitive ads all of which I have seen 30 times already. I cannot figure out how the ad guys have convinced the sponsors that if you show the same ad 30 times the viewers will not start using the time to check on desparate housewives or to go get a beer or update their blogs.)
I feel sorry for those dads who are watching the game with their sons - especially the younger ones -with the Viagra ads. How the heck do you explain floppy weiner to an eight year old?
Worst ads : The dumabass car ad with Brook Shield, They're here! any ad with that punkass asten kutcher, the aforementioned erectile disfunction products and the super dumb phone ad where the guy calls his daughter "dude".
The best one is the e-trade kid who used his profits to rent a clown. And the Verizon dead zone at the motel.
5th inning oh crap we're losing 2-1!
7th Inning still losing. Aybar home run makes it 3-1 Curse them
9th Inning the Sox cannot score with men on base and thus lose the effing game.
Thank goodness. Now I can get some sleep
This is how I entertain myself during the repetitive ads all of which I have seen 30 times already. I cannot figure out how the ad guys have convinced the sponsors that if you show the same ad 30 times the viewers will not start using the time to check on desparate housewives or to go get a beer or update their blogs.)
I feel sorry for those dads who are watching the game with their sons - especially the younger ones -with the Viagra ads. How the heck do you explain floppy weiner to an eight year old?
Worst ads : The dumabass car ad with Brook Shield, They're here! any ad with that punkass asten kutcher, the aforementioned erectile disfunction products and the super dumb phone ad where the guy calls his daughter "dude".
The best one is the e-trade kid who used his profits to rent a clown. And the Verizon dead zone at the motel.
5th inning oh crap we're losing 2-1!
7th Inning still losing. Aybar home run makes it 3-1 Curse them
9th Inning the Sox cannot score with men on base and thus lose the effing game.
Thank goodness. Now I can get some sleep
10/16/2008
Still Undecided After Final Debate
The presidential debate last night was the most revealing dialogue that we have seen to date. The moderator Bob Shieffer did a fine job, and if I may say so, looked somewhat presidential himself.
I liked the format, with the two candidates sitting at the table with plenty of time to answer the questions. This time McCain looked at Obama when he criticized. Obama smiled at McCain's attacks the way you do when your aging Uncle Jimmy starts his crazy rants.
I thought Obama squandered some great opportunities to put our minds at ease about some of the dark allegations about his past associates (e.g., Rev Wright, Resco) but he did credibly discuss his role as Counsel with ACORN which has been flogged by the conservative talk shows ad nauseum.
He seemed calm and collected, while McCain seemed furtive, nervous, robotic and a bit giggly. (Not good presidential qualities). This performance was unsettling to me, because this very morning, I had resolved to vote for McCain on the sole basis of his plan to allow $10,000 in distributions from IRA's to be free from taxes for two years.
Now, I am undecided again. Maybe I should write-in for Bob Shieffer.
In the WSJ today, Danial Henninger writes a great column (McCain's Katrina)
He draws an excellent analogy between the FEMA response to Katrina and McCain's impotence in the "Hurricane Fannie" affair.
However, I think he omitted the most damaging part of the story. When House and Senate representatives added another billion dollars in earmarks to the "emergency" bailout bill, they demonstrated the worst of cynical "business as usual' Washington politics.
It was McCain's moment to "name names" of the miscreant earmarkers and to demonstrate his skill at getting things done. Instead of being the tough crusader against such pork barrel spending, McCain meekly voted for the bill without even commenting on it.
For me, this Homer Simpson moment erased much of McCain's credibility as the self-annointed guy who can fix things.
The Sox are going down in flames, the Patriots glory days are history, and the economy is on a feeding tube. The only good news is that this effing election is almost over.
I liked the format, with the two candidates sitting at the table with plenty of time to answer the questions. This time McCain looked at Obama when he criticized. Obama smiled at McCain's attacks the way you do when your aging Uncle Jimmy starts his crazy rants.
I thought Obama squandered some great opportunities to put our minds at ease about some of the dark allegations about his past associates (e.g., Rev Wright, Resco) but he did credibly discuss his role as Counsel with ACORN which has been flogged by the conservative talk shows ad nauseum.
He seemed calm and collected, while McCain seemed furtive, nervous, robotic and a bit giggly. (Not good presidential qualities). This performance was unsettling to me, because this very morning, I had resolved to vote for McCain on the sole basis of his plan to allow $10,000 in distributions from IRA's to be free from taxes for two years.
Now, I am undecided again. Maybe I should write-in for Bob Shieffer.
In the WSJ today, Danial Henninger writes a great column (McCain's Katrina)
He draws an excellent analogy between the FEMA response to Katrina and McCain's impotence in the "Hurricane Fannie" affair.
However, I think he omitted the most damaging part of the story. When House and Senate representatives added another billion dollars in earmarks to the "emergency" bailout bill, they demonstrated the worst of cynical "business as usual' Washington politics.
It was McCain's moment to "name names" of the miscreant earmarkers and to demonstrate his skill at getting things done. Instead of being the tough crusader against such pork barrel spending, McCain meekly voted for the bill without even commenting on it.
For me, this Homer Simpson moment erased much of McCain's credibility as the self-annointed guy who can fix things.
The Sox are going down in flames, the Patriots glory days are history, and the economy is on a feeding tube. The only good news is that this effing election is almost over.
10/01/2008
The Bailout
Note to readers: Sorry for those of you who have come to depend on my analytical brilliance to decide how you feel about issues of the day, but my PC crapped-out the other day and I have been challenged to find time and opportunity to post. My part-time workplace actually blocks computer access to most Internet sites, and I do not have a "back-up" 'puter ready to go. Today I am using my wife's laptop which I find awkward and clunky. Still, the show must go on!
The stock market has been volatile and the news is grim. Stories of people losing their life savings and businesses threatening to lay people off are now the daily staple of media reports.
In the news today there was a story about a woman who had invested all her money in Wachovia Bank stock. She lived in her own home in an affluent suburb, and was living a good life funded entirely on stock dividends. Now she is living in her son's basement.
People like me - who have already given up full time jobs in favor of retirement - are worried that our dwindling nest-eggs could disappear entirely - and we too will be forced to live in our children's basements. (I have even stashed a couple of hundred bucks in a sock just in case the ATM system fails and I need beer money).
It is not fun to be dependent on a fixed income, (especially if you are not getting fat trust fund checks like Paris Hilton ) or, working a part-time retail hellhole job making small money and putting-up with the odious public.
But, gentle readers, be not discouraged. Life will go on. Business cycles are an historic fact of life and this too shall pass. We will survive this crisis somehow. It will not be fun, but that doesn't mean that you cannot have any fun. As we work our way through these coming hard times I shall share some of my cost-cutting secrets with you my loyal readers - all four of you!
Now to the hard analysis of the bail-out:
This meltdown of credit markets can be traced directly back to the affirmative action goals of the federal government, which mandated that lenders give mortgage loans to people who could not afford them unless the equity value of the property kept rising. Freddie and Fannie were forced to guarantee these shaky loans.....
Combine the government's social engineering experiment with the greed and chicanery of the investment banks and mortgage companies and you get a trillion dollars betting that the houses that were held as collateral in these contracts would increase in value indefinitely, and nobody would lose. Well they didn't, and lots of people lost a lot; then the walls came tumbling down....
The solution:
Much as it will hurt, the government needs to let the businesses that risked their survival on bad loans fail. People will lose jobs. The gov't needs to help small businesses by extending credit to them, but not buying bad debt.
I will lose my stockholder equity in companies like AIG. I hate that, but hey I knew it was a gamble. There should not be guarantees for gamblers.
The people who bought houses that they couldn't afford are no worse off than they were before, and they have had a nice house to live in for a while. The leadership of the failed companies cannot be allowed to walk away with money when everyone else loses. Contract shmontract. Employees of failed companies will need to find work elsewhere. Government representatives who guessed wrong and made the situation worse must resign (and it would be nice if they took the blame in the manner of Japanese tradition of honor (sepicu).
The stock market has been volatile and the news is grim. Stories of people losing their life savings and businesses threatening to lay people off are now the daily staple of media reports.
In the news today there was a story about a woman who had invested all her money in Wachovia Bank stock. She lived in her own home in an affluent suburb, and was living a good life funded entirely on stock dividends. Now she is living in her son's basement.
People like me - who have already given up full time jobs in favor of retirement - are worried that our dwindling nest-eggs could disappear entirely - and we too will be forced to live in our children's basements. (I have even stashed a couple of hundred bucks in a sock just in case the ATM system fails and I need beer money).
It is not fun to be dependent on a fixed income, (especially if you are not getting fat trust fund checks like Paris Hilton ) or, working a part-time retail hellhole job making small money and putting-up with the odious public.
But, gentle readers, be not discouraged. Life will go on. Business cycles are an historic fact of life and this too shall pass. We will survive this crisis somehow. It will not be fun, but that doesn't mean that you cannot have any fun. As we work our way through these coming hard times I shall share some of my cost-cutting secrets with you my loyal readers - all four of you!
Now to the hard analysis of the bail-out:
This meltdown of credit markets can be traced directly back to the affirmative action goals of the federal government, which mandated that lenders give mortgage loans to people who could not afford them unless the equity value of the property kept rising. Freddie and Fannie were forced to guarantee these shaky loans.....
Combine the government's social engineering experiment with the greed and chicanery of the investment banks and mortgage companies and you get a trillion dollars betting that the houses that were held as collateral in these contracts would increase in value indefinitely, and nobody would lose. Well they didn't, and lots of people lost a lot; then the walls came tumbling down....
The solution:
Much as it will hurt, the government needs to let the businesses that risked their survival on bad loans fail. People will lose jobs. The gov't needs to help small businesses by extending credit to them, but not buying bad debt.
I will lose my stockholder equity in companies like AIG. I hate that, but hey I knew it was a gamble. There should not be guarantees for gamblers.
The people who bought houses that they couldn't afford are no worse off than they were before, and they have had a nice house to live in for a while. The leadership of the failed companies cannot be allowed to walk away with money when everyone else loses. Contract shmontract. Employees of failed companies will need to find work elsewhere. Government representatives who guessed wrong and made the situation worse must resign (and it would be nice if they took the blame in the manner of Japanese tradition of honor (sepicu).
9/26/2008
The Way I saw It
During the debate tonight Obama beat the snot out of McCain. McCain was like a little girl - not able to look Obama in the eye, how can he claim that he looked Putin in the eye? Or that he would face up to other world leaders?
Obama seemed presidential. He clarified every accusation despite the feeble attempts by McCain to continue to distort and mischaracterise his position.
Neither of them addressed the current fiscal crisis in any meaningful way that would invite a voter to think that they had a real handle on the situation. This is indeed distressing. Where is Ross Perot when you need him with his charts and graphs?
McCain failed to make a convincing case for his tax cuts to people making more than 250,000 per year nor did he address Obama's stilleto puncture of the Business Tax rate loophole balloon. On the other hand Obama did not provide any mathmatical support to tell us where all the money would come from to support his programs.
McCain's point about South Koreans being an average of 3" taller than North Koreans made about as much sense as Obama trotting-out his Kenyan roots and the diminished capacity of the USA to attract immigrants. Maybe I was dozing off and missed those points.
Obama seemed presidential. He clarified every accusation despite the feeble attempts by McCain to continue to distort and mischaracterise his position.
Neither of them addressed the current fiscal crisis in any meaningful way that would invite a voter to think that they had a real handle on the situation. This is indeed distressing. Where is Ross Perot when you need him with his charts and graphs?
McCain failed to make a convincing case for his tax cuts to people making more than 250,000 per year nor did he address Obama's stilleto puncture of the Business Tax rate loophole balloon. On the other hand Obama did not provide any mathmatical support to tell us where all the money would come from to support his programs.
McCain's point about South Koreans being an average of 3" taller than North Koreans made about as much sense as Obama trotting-out his Kenyan roots and the diminished capacity of the USA to attract immigrants. Maybe I was dozing off and missed those points.
9/12/2008
Beyond Stupid
Anyone who thinks the "lipstick slur" was anything other than a fiendishly funny line, needs to get their panties out of their wedge and have their sense of humor recharged.
You probably laughed when Sarah sneered about Obama's experience as a community organizer with no responsibilities, which was very offensive to many of the Republican community organizers out there. Wait a minute. Oh lordy, never mind. I've just been informed that there are Zero Republican community organizers out there. Whew!
For those who still don't get it, Why would calling her a pig make sense?
That would be stupider than asking the guy in the wheelchair to stand up and take a bow...
Someone was right when they said things are getting "beyond stupid."
You probably laughed when Sarah sneered about Obama's experience as a community organizer with no responsibilities, which was very offensive to many of the Republican community organizers out there. Wait a minute. Oh lordy, never mind. I've just been informed that there are Zero Republican community organizers out there. Whew!
For those who still don't get it, Why would calling her a pig make sense?
That would be stupider than asking the guy in the wheelchair to stand up and take a bow...
Someone was right when they said things are getting "beyond stupid."
9/01/2008
Geena Davis Where are You?
Well McCain's new VP nominee is a babe. And someday I think she could be a real contender: she has guts, ethical chops, apparent leadership abilities and she is wonderfully photogenic. I hate her Midwestern schoolmarm voice and her Fargo accent, but she may overcome these annoyances, someday.
This year, McCain needs someone who can step into the job... just in case.
Lets face it, if you were running a dead pool on the nominees, McCain would be everyone's favorite as the candidate most likely to kick the bucket...
After all his gasbagging about experience and readiness to lead, I think McCain 'crapped the rug' with this pick. Apparently, he could not find one honest, experienced republican who he thought was ready to step into the oval office, who was not corrupt or unfaithful to his spouse...
Yes Ms Palin has executive experience - as mother of 5 and 2 years as Gov. (Just like George W. Bush who was Gov. of Texas -Lord knows that experience proved invaluable in the ruination of our economy and world standing during the past 8 yrs.)
A few years ago we watched and enjoyed a TV program called "Commander in Chief" starring Geena Davis as the "token" woman VP who was sworn in when the President unexpectedly dies. The new Commander did pretty well in that role, despite being considered a lightweight by all her detractors.
Let us hope that life does not imitate art, this time.
This year, McCain needs someone who can step into the job... just in case.
Lets face it, if you were running a dead pool on the nominees, McCain would be everyone's favorite as the candidate most likely to kick the bucket...
After all his gasbagging about experience and readiness to lead, I think McCain 'crapped the rug' with this pick. Apparently, he could not find one honest, experienced republican who he thought was ready to step into the oval office, who was not corrupt or unfaithful to his spouse...
Yes Ms Palin has executive experience - as mother of 5 and 2 years as Gov. (Just like George W. Bush who was Gov. of Texas -Lord knows that experience proved invaluable in the ruination of our economy and world standing during the past 8 yrs.)
A few years ago we watched and enjoyed a TV program called "Commander in Chief" starring Geena Davis as the "token" woman VP who was sworn in when the President unexpectedly dies. The new Commander did pretty well in that role, despite being considered a lightweight by all her detractors.
Let us hope that life does not imitate art, this time.
8/22/2008
Returning to The Hellhole?
It is with mixed emotion that I report that I have recently returned to the world of commerce. After a three year extended sabbatical which was characterized by unpaid unemployment - leisure mornings spent reading the Globe and WSJ, thinking about world affairs, monitoring the status of our nest egg, updating my memoirs, unhurried lunches with friends and delicious afternoon naps - I have reluctantly returned to the workforce. Part time.
What, you ask, would prompt a sane person to leave such an idyllic, free and unsupervised state? Am I seeking material for a new sitcom? Has my wife's recent retirement and increased surveillance put a damper on my freedoms? Has the rising cost of food and fuel impinged upon my available pool of discretionary spending money? Was I bored? Did they make an offer I could not refuse? Am I trying to impress Jody Foster?
Who can say? Even today, as I ponder my own motivation, I am unclear about the forces which have impelled me to seek (and accept) a job which requires me to bathe, dress in clean clothes and to be present in an office at a designated time. Why does any human being do that?
The answer is probably lurking somewhere in that theory of human motivation that is described in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. In summary, it says we are never satisfied with our present condition.
So, now I have some new situations and people to mock and deride. Managers, supervisors, co-workers - oh and let us not forget the most deliciously perverse creatures who walk the Earth - Customers! Yes, friends, a whole new world is open before us: let us laugh at it together.
One disclaimer: My advisers have counseled me not to reveal the actual identity of my new workplace or the actual people that infest it. There are at least two good reasons for this:
#1) I don't want to get fired until I am good and ready #2) The jury has not decided if it is a hellhole yet.
I know that you are saying to yourself, "Of course it's a hellhole, you numbnuts!" But I try not to jump to conclusions.
Stay tuned. I need to go now and get ready for work.
What, you ask, would prompt a sane person to leave such an idyllic, free and unsupervised state? Am I seeking material for a new sitcom? Has my wife's recent retirement and increased surveillance put a damper on my freedoms? Has the rising cost of food and fuel impinged upon my available pool of discretionary spending money? Was I bored? Did they make an offer I could not refuse? Am I trying to impress Jody Foster?
Who can say? Even today, as I ponder my own motivation, I am unclear about the forces which have impelled me to seek (and accept) a job which requires me to bathe, dress in clean clothes and to be present in an office at a designated time. Why does any human being do that?
The answer is probably lurking somewhere in that theory of human motivation that is described in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. In summary, it says we are never satisfied with our present condition.
So, now I have some new situations and people to mock and deride. Managers, supervisors, co-workers - oh and let us not forget the most deliciously perverse creatures who walk the Earth - Customers! Yes, friends, a whole new world is open before us: let us laugh at it together.
One disclaimer: My advisers have counseled me not to reveal the actual identity of my new workplace or the actual people that infest it. There are at least two good reasons for this:
#1) I don't want to get fired until I am good and ready #2) The jury has not decided if it is a hellhole yet.
I know that you are saying to yourself, "Of course it's a hellhole, you numbnuts!" But I try not to jump to conclusions.
Stay tuned. I need to go now and get ready for work.
8/16/2008
Why I Don't Get a Charitable Deduction
When clean cut young kids come to the front door asking for donations to help the environment/cure the disease de jour/or to help elect a political candidate, I try to be polite, but I always send them away emptyhanded. Throughout most of my working career, I steadfastly resisted the constant requests for "sponsorship" walks/rides/runs - United Way Nazis - or outright contributions to a coworkers' pet projects (The chief exception is, of course, Girl Scout Cookies - which has always seemed to me to be a worthy cause.)
These refusals to donate may have been seen as the skinflintyness of a cheap bastard, but that is not the case. I do not like people taking advantage of my good will and presumed affluence as a springboard for socialized extortion to support their causes. Also, I am a skeptic who believes that such donations - however well intentioned - are simply a big waste. Some might argue that there is a "feel-good" value to giving $25 to help the starving children in Darfur, but I argue that practically none of that money is spent on food.
In fact, most of the money that is donated to ANY charity goes for overhead - Advertising, Salaries and Lunches for the executives. One exception: The Boston Globe Santa, which collects money to buy gifts for poor kids at Christmas. They promise that 100% of the donations are used to that purpose. The Globe eats the overhead costs. Good for them. These are the only charities that I will give to.
Some people are proud of their political contributions, which mostly go to pay for more attack ads and - of course - funding the campaigns to request more contributions. Or in some cases, to pay-off the gal that the candidate was having an affair with. It seems, John Edwards has emerges as the current leading poster boy for corrupt lying lawyer politicians (Bill Clinton, you are not alone!)
I recall that last year, Edwards had to take the heat for his famous $400 haircut.
This type of excess is typical of non-profit organizations, whose management is not subject to the same scrutiny as public corporations. They prey on the little old ladies from Pasadena who think their $15 is going to cure cancer, or to help a disabled veteran when it is actually going to be dumped into the marketing kitty to fund even more heartfelt requests for donations via junk mail, or worse to pay off the bimbo on the side.
Most of your charity walks and rides are just phony events which have been cleverly designed to fool good-hearted people. Fiendishly clever, the organizers realize that most people want to feel good, so they recruit walkers/runners/riders to go out and solicit sponsorships from their friends and relatives. They count on the fact that many of the participants have a relative or friend who was afflicted by the disease. They will become evangelists.
So, when they come to you in the office asking for a small contribution, you would have to be a hard hearted asshole to say, "You are a dupe. None of this money will go into research; it goes to advertising and executive salaries." Much easier to just give them $20.
Take the 3 day Avon walk for breast cancer as an example. The participants go around to their office colleagues and solicit donations. Most of them must personally invest several hundred dollars for the Tent, food and gear to make them comfortable for two overnights. The event itself is meaningless, except for the participants, who get a great rush from the camaraderie and fun of the 3 day camping trip. What does this have to do with breast cancer? Nothing. Most of the money goes to the organizers of the event. If the participants would just take their tent and gear money and donate it to someone who has breast cancer, the money might just help someone.
As I say, I am a skeptic. I can't prove it but I will bet you that if you look into it you will find that less than ten percent and certainly no more than 30% of donated money actually finds its way to fund the real purpose of the donation, which is research. Prove me wrong.
These refusals to donate may have been seen as the skinflintyness of a cheap bastard, but that is not the case. I do not like people taking advantage of my good will and presumed affluence as a springboard for socialized extortion to support their causes. Also, I am a skeptic who believes that such donations - however well intentioned - are simply a big waste. Some might argue that there is a "feel-good" value to giving $25 to help the starving children in Darfur, but I argue that practically none of that money is spent on food.
In fact, most of the money that is donated to ANY charity goes for overhead - Advertising, Salaries and Lunches for the executives. One exception: The Boston Globe Santa, which collects money to buy gifts for poor kids at Christmas. They promise that 100% of the donations are used to that purpose. The Globe eats the overhead costs. Good for them. These are the only charities that I will give to.
Some people are proud of their political contributions, which mostly go to pay for more attack ads and - of course - funding the campaigns to request more contributions. Or in some cases, to pay-off the gal that the candidate was having an affair with. It seems, John Edwards has emerges as the current leading poster boy for corrupt lying lawyer politicians (Bill Clinton, you are not alone!)
I recall that last year, Edwards had to take the heat for his famous $400 haircut.
This type of excess is typical of non-profit organizations, whose management is not subject to the same scrutiny as public corporations. They prey on the little old ladies from Pasadena who think their $15 is going to cure cancer, or to help a disabled veteran when it is actually going to be dumped into the marketing kitty to fund even more heartfelt requests for donations via junk mail, or worse to pay off the bimbo on the side.
Most of your charity walks and rides are just phony events which have been cleverly designed to fool good-hearted people. Fiendishly clever, the organizers realize that most people want to feel good, so they recruit walkers/runners/riders to go out and solicit sponsorships from their friends and relatives. They count on the fact that many of the participants have a relative or friend who was afflicted by the disease. They will become evangelists.
So, when they come to you in the office asking for a small contribution, you would have to be a hard hearted asshole to say, "You are a dupe. None of this money will go into research; it goes to advertising and executive salaries." Much easier to just give them $20.
Take the 3 day Avon walk for breast cancer as an example. The participants go around to their office colleagues and solicit donations. Most of them must personally invest several hundred dollars for the Tent, food and gear to make them comfortable for two overnights. The event itself is meaningless, except for the participants, who get a great rush from the camaraderie and fun of the 3 day camping trip. What does this have to do with breast cancer? Nothing. Most of the money goes to the organizers of the event. If the participants would just take their tent and gear money and donate it to someone who has breast cancer, the money might just help someone.
As I say, I am a skeptic. I can't prove it but I will bet you that if you look into it you will find that less than ten percent and certainly no more than 30% of donated money actually finds its way to fund the real purpose of the donation, which is research. Prove me wrong.
8/15/2008
Yawn
At the local Starbucks where I do most of my research in human behavior, I notice that some people are yawning as they stand in line. Often they mention that they are tired from staying up watching re-broadcasts of Olympic events from China.
The only event I watched (briefly) was the US girls beach volleyball against the (anatomically challenged) Japanese team. I just cannot get interested in most Olympic sports. Watching the swimming events is even more tedious than the previous most-boring-sports-event on my list: Soccer. Let's face it, most of these athletic competitions are fun to do but a yawn for the spectators who are not relatives of the participants.
You know how I feel about Professional sports workers. I feel that the Olympic games have become the same genre of non-sport. These athletes are not about playing, they are deadly serious about winning, because they are all preparing for their careers! Games shmames! I think its a shame.
In the old days the US had a moral high road by only allowing amateurs to compete; now it's just like an all star game. excuse me, I can't keep from yawning.
The only event I watched (briefly) was the US girls beach volleyball against the (anatomically challenged) Japanese team. I just cannot get interested in most Olympic sports. Watching the swimming events is even more tedious than the previous most-boring-sports-event on my list: Soccer. Let's face it, most of these athletic competitions are fun to do but a yawn for the spectators who are not relatives of the participants.
You know how I feel about Professional sports workers. I feel that the Olympic games have become the same genre of non-sport. These athletes are not about playing, they are deadly serious about winning, because they are all preparing for their careers! Games shmames! I think its a shame.
In the old days the US had a moral high road by only allowing amateurs to compete; now it's just like an all star game.
8/10/2008
More Bothersome News
Many former supporters were disappointed this week to learn that John Edwards now admits that the rumors about him shtupping the photojournalist were in fact true and not trash journalist lies, as he asserted a thousand times. All the little old ladies that sent in their $20 contributions are undoubtedly proud that their money went to pay-off the shtuppee to the tune of more than $100,000 for some home video quality work.
But I'm sure he is now telling the whole Truth. Those among us who believe that he fathered her baby are just wrong. He is totally willing to be tested. Umm, wait a min. It seems he will (conveniently) not be able to prove his new found veracity, since the mom refuses to have the paternity test.
Some of us were gullible enough to think that no one would be so stupid as to think that they could pull a Bill Clinton and get away with it in the kleiglights of the cable TV era; we must humbly acknowledge that such stupidity does exist in politicians.
Drudge and Limbaugh and some of the other neocons were right about this scandal many months ago. How come that mainstream press didn't know about it? Or was it an inconvenient truth?
But I'm sure he is now telling the whole Truth. Those among us who believe that he fathered her baby are just wrong. He is totally willing to be tested. Umm, wait a min. It seems he will (conveniently) not be able to prove his new found veracity, since the mom refuses to have the paternity test.
Some of us were gullible enough to think that no one would be so stupid as to think that they could pull a Bill Clinton and get away with it in the kleiglights of the cable TV era; we must humbly acknowledge that such stupidity does exist in politicians.
Drudge and Limbaugh and some of the other neocons were right about this scandal many months ago. How come that mainstream press didn't know about it? Or was it an inconvenient truth?
8/06/2008
Bothersome News Items
There are a couple of stories in the news lately which are seemingly unrelated but intriguing.
The first story is about a guy who calls himself Clark Rockefeller, and after being in the news for 10 days, no one can figure out who he really is. Rockefeller became news because he allegedly kidnapped his own 7 year old daughter in Boston and sparked an "Amber alert" last week. He was captured in Baltimore a few days ago.
The most intriguing thing about him is the fact that he has managed to maintain a level of anonymity that I would have believed to be impossible in this information intensive society. No drivers license, no social security number, no job, no past.
He "forgets" what happened before 1992, but does not claim clinical amnesia. How do you do that? I know what many of you are thinking: "Lets waterboard the bastard and find out what he knows." Maybe Keifer Sutherland should "interrogate" him? A bullet in the kneecap would undoubtedly bring back a few pertinent memories. Detectives in LA have declared him a person of interest with a potential link to a col murder case in California. Others think he might be the mysterious German Exchange student who dropped oout of sight in Connecticut. Undoubtedly, he will eventually be linked to the Jonbenet Ramsay case. And before long the media circus tent will be both large and noisy.
He has steadfastly refused to provide any explanation about his past or where his money comes from. Reportedly he uses gold coins to fund his activities. (Doesn't that attract attention?)
So far, none of the people in charge can figure out who he is. He says that he cannot remember his past further back than his marriage in 1992. As the SNL church lady would say, "How convenient."
I find it incredible that someone can exist among us without the government's (nor the media's) ability to trace their whereabouts or activities. If he can do it, so can crooks, rapists and terrorists. I find this a bit disturbing.
In the old TV series "The Fugitive" Dr. Kimball was able to exist on the fringes of society, keeping a low profile supporting himself by taking menial jobs. But this guy Rockefeller was no shrinking violet - a Director at the exclusive Algonquin club in Boston, reportedly participated in local theater productions. Yet there are few pictures of him that have come to light. Judging from the newspapers Even his wife could only produce one photo. until the mug shot was released.
The second story is about the Anthrax researcher. The Government lays out the case against Anthrax researcher Dr. Bruce Ivins. They say he (conveniently) committed suicide as the prosecutors were closing-in. Others are questioning whether the feds were targeting the right guy this time After the government's ongoing series of fuck-ups and cover ups, we remain confused, bothered and bewildered by the conflicting stories and our basic distrust of our own security agencies.
I think the bothersome thread of these news items is that the stories remind us of the fragility of our sense of order and safety. If this guy Rockefeller can move untraced in our society, so can a lot of other bad guys. The Anthrax case is equally disturbing not only because of the helplessness we feel to biological attack, but also that it took so long to come up with mainly circumstantial evidence. I'm as much a proponent of the ideals of liberty, right to privacy, etc. as the next guy, but there are some adult realities that need to be acknowledged.
A very small number of individuals can disrupt society in a dramatic way.
witness how a few flat tires and fender benders on the city highways can tie-up traffic for hours. One bad accident on route 95 can ruin the day for thousands of people. Back in September 2001, nineteen bad guys were responsible for over 3000 deaths and the inconvenience to a minimum of 2 million people every day - everyone who has passed through any US airport - since Sept 11. How about the two Washington D.C. area snipers who paralyzed the whole region for weeks, randomly shooting people while they refueled their cars or emerged from grocery stores?
These incidents illustrate how a few malevolent actors can bring mass chaos in a free society. The irony is that each such act tends to make us choose safety over liberty. The citizens of an open society deserve both security and freedom.
The essential problem is that we do not know where to turn for the Truth. Despite all the information that is available to us, we still cannot discern the truth because we cannot trust the source. The traditional source for truth has been scientists and journalists. But not anymore. We don't trust these purveyors of facts these days, unless they are on our philosophical/political wavelength.
The bothersome Reality of modern society: Facts are what you/I agree on. Truth exists in the mind of the beholder.
The first story is about a guy who calls himself Clark Rockefeller, and after being in the news for 10 days, no one can figure out who he really is. Rockefeller became news because he allegedly kidnapped his own 7 year old daughter in Boston and sparked an "Amber alert" last week. He was captured in Baltimore a few days ago.
The most intriguing thing about him is the fact that he has managed to maintain a level of anonymity that I would have believed to be impossible in this information intensive society. No drivers license, no social security number, no job, no past.
He "forgets" what happened before 1992, but does not claim clinical amnesia. How do you do that? I know what many of you are thinking: "Lets waterboard the bastard and find out what he knows." Maybe Keifer Sutherland should "interrogate" him? A bullet in the kneecap would undoubtedly bring back a few pertinent memories. Detectives in LA have declared him a person of interest with a potential link to a col murder case in California. Others think he might be the mysterious German Exchange student who dropped oout of sight in Connecticut. Undoubtedly, he will eventually be linked to the Jonbenet Ramsay case. And before long the media circus tent will be both large and noisy.
He has steadfastly refused to provide any explanation about his past or where his money comes from. Reportedly he uses gold coins to fund his activities. (Doesn't that attract attention?)
So far, none of the people in charge can figure out who he is. He says that he cannot remember his past further back than his marriage in 1992. As the SNL church lady would say, "How convenient."
I find it incredible that someone can exist among us without the government's (nor the media's) ability to trace their whereabouts or activities. If he can do it, so can crooks, rapists and terrorists. I find this a bit disturbing.
In the old TV series "The Fugitive" Dr. Kimball was able to exist on the fringes of society, keeping a low profile supporting himself by taking menial jobs. But this guy Rockefeller was no shrinking violet - a Director at the exclusive Algonquin club in Boston, reportedly participated in local theater productions. Yet there are few pictures of him that have come to light. Judging from the newspapers Even his wife could only produce one photo. until the mug shot was released.
The second story is about the Anthrax researcher. The Government lays out the case against Anthrax researcher Dr. Bruce Ivins. They say he (conveniently) committed suicide as the prosecutors were closing-in. Others are questioning whether the feds were targeting the right guy this time After the government's ongoing series of fuck-ups and cover ups, we remain confused, bothered and bewildered by the conflicting stories and our basic distrust of our own security agencies.
I think the bothersome thread of these news items is that the stories remind us of the fragility of our sense of order and safety. If this guy Rockefeller can move untraced in our society, so can a lot of other bad guys. The Anthrax case is equally disturbing not only because of the helplessness we feel to biological attack, but also that it took so long to come up with mainly circumstantial evidence. I'm as much a proponent of the ideals of liberty, right to privacy, etc. as the next guy, but there are some adult realities that need to be acknowledged.
A very small number of individuals can disrupt society in a dramatic way.
witness how a few flat tires and fender benders on the city highways can tie-up traffic for hours. One bad accident on route 95 can ruin the day for thousands of people. Back in September 2001, nineteen bad guys were responsible for over 3000 deaths and the inconvenience to a minimum of 2 million people every day - everyone who has passed through any US airport - since Sept 11. How about the two Washington D.C. area snipers who paralyzed the whole region for weeks, randomly shooting people while they refueled their cars or emerged from grocery stores?
These incidents illustrate how a few malevolent actors can bring mass chaos in a free society. The irony is that each such act tends to make us choose safety over liberty. The citizens of an open society deserve both security and freedom.
The essential problem is that we do not know where to turn for the Truth. Despite all the information that is available to us, we still cannot discern the truth because we cannot trust the source. The traditional source for truth has been scientists and journalists. But not anymore. We don't trust these purveyors of facts these days, unless they are on our philosophical/political wavelength.
The bothersome Reality of modern society: Facts are what you/I agree on. Truth exists in the mind of the beholder.
Celebrity Presidential Candidates
The "old white dude" used Paris in his Obama attack ad, now she has an ad of her own...
Click here
or go to http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d
This made me laugh out loud.
Click here
or go to http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d
This made me laugh out loud.
8/05/2008
Climbing Molehills Because They are There
One of the front page stories in the news today is about the 11 climbers who were killed by an avalanche on K2 in Pakistan. This may seem a tad cold, but I say "So what"?
I do not take pleasure in the news of any one's death*, but there is a difference between people who are victims of circumstances (disease, wars, violence) and those who risk their lives for thrills.
Of the 11 who died, I do have the most compassion for the two Nepalese who were undoubtedly Sherpa guides and actually working for a living, probably lugging the champagne glasses and photographic equipment.
It is difficult to pretend that it is a tragedy when people who get their kicks from betting against gravity happen to lose the bet. These were self absorbed people who spent their time and inherited money spreading maps on the mahogany decks of their yachts, frivolously preparing to climb mountains. Leaving families and friends because of the spiritual fulfillment one gets getting to the top. By the way, all of the dead had actually made it to the top - they died during the descent.
You may think that I am bitterly envious of those beautiful, rich people who are still alive and can afford to climb mountains and take boat trips to tax free shelters in the Caribbean - instead of being a boat less, overweight pensioner who spends his time chasing rabbits, moles and squirrels away from his garden and surfing the Internets in hopes of finding a cure for chronic NRI (Nagging Rectal Itch).
OK, Guilty as charged. I am capable of being just as useless as the next guy - maybe even useless-er. Just because my current path is to tread upon on those pesky molehills doesn't mean I couldn't be a rich thrill-seeker too if I could afford it. Gravity shmavity! is my motto.
Being at sea level gives one a perspective that mountain climbers do not see. Our horizon is limited by line of sight. But if our safety rope breaks, the fall is generally not fatal.
*Exception: Whoever invented the leaf blower - The noisiest, most annoying contraption on the planet.
I do not take pleasure in the news of any one's death*, but there is a difference between people who are victims of circumstances (disease, wars, violence) and those who risk their lives for thrills.
Of the 11 who died, I do have the most compassion for the two Nepalese who were undoubtedly Sherpa guides and actually working for a living, probably lugging the champagne glasses and photographic equipment.
It is difficult to pretend that it is a tragedy when people who get their kicks from betting against gravity happen to lose the bet. These were self absorbed people who spent their time and inherited money spreading maps on the mahogany decks of their yachts, frivolously preparing to climb mountains. Leaving families and friends because of the spiritual fulfillment one gets getting to the top. By the way, all of the dead had actually made it to the top - they died during the descent.
You may think that I am bitterly envious of those beautiful, rich people who are still alive and can afford to climb mountains and take boat trips to tax free shelters in the Caribbean - instead of being a boat less, overweight pensioner who spends his time chasing rabbits, moles and squirrels away from his garden and surfing the Internets in hopes of finding a cure for chronic NRI (Nagging Rectal Itch).
OK, Guilty as charged. I am capable of being just as useless as the next guy - maybe even useless-er. Just because my current path is to tread upon on those pesky molehills doesn't mean I couldn't be a rich thrill-seeker too if I could afford it. Gravity shmavity! is my motto.
Being at sea level gives one a perspective that mountain climbers do not see. Our horizon is limited by line of sight. But if our safety rope breaks, the fall is generally not fatal.
*Exception: Whoever invented the leaf blower - The noisiest, most annoying contraption on the planet.
8/01/2008
No Farewell Party for Manny
Local baseball fans - among whom I am distinctly of the "fair weather" variety - woke up today to the UN-surprising news that Red Sox employee Manny Ramirez was gone, like a foul ball hit out of the park.
We - who understand that baseball is just a job after all - will miss him. He was a pain in the ass prima donna who could hit clutch home runs and fer goshsakes win games when it counted. He was disruptive and lazy and his fielding abilities were less than big league. He looked more like a rap musician than a baseball worker with his long dreadlocks and baggy clown pants. But darn it, he was entertaining.
We have all worked with people like Manny. We might have had to work a bit harder while our coworker was slacking off. Or we might have felt that someone else was getting more attention for his antics than his performance in the field. The Manny on our team may have been annoying at times but then they would do something marvelous: getting the contract that would mean more revenue for our company or solving a costly problem. Just like Manny with his world series game winning performance in the clutch.
At their farewell parties, we sincerely wish them well and try to remember their deeds of greatness. Then we go home and forget about them.
Manny's singular value to the Red Sox was that he is a great slugger who can save the day. I think we will miss him before this season is over. For a little while.
The fact is (despite our hubris) most of us are quite replaceable. Each of us creates our own legacy in our work life. But regardless of our accomplishments, whether we were Airline CEO's, Hall of Fame sluggers or systems analysts, the mark we make amounts to footprints in the sand: washed away by the next tide - or even the next wave, gone and forgotten.
Like Manny, Nomar, Johnny Damon, Babe Ruth - there comes a time when We have stayed too long at the party and it is time to be moving on down the road, with the fresh opportunity to re-create ourselves on a new team. Too many cliches, you say? Well sorry, they just seemed to be appropriate.
The Red Sox suits may seem smart, letting Manny go after getting the best he had, but we felt that way about Roger Clemens too.
We - who understand that baseball is just a job after all - will miss him. He was a pain in the ass prima donna who could hit clutch home runs and fer goshsakes win games when it counted. He was disruptive and lazy and his fielding abilities were less than big league. He looked more like a rap musician than a baseball worker with his long dreadlocks and baggy clown pants. But darn it, he was entertaining.
We have all worked with people like Manny. We might have had to work a bit harder while our coworker was slacking off. Or we might have felt that someone else was getting more attention for his antics than his performance in the field. The Manny on our team may have been annoying at times but then they would do something marvelous: getting the contract that would mean more revenue for our company or solving a costly problem. Just like Manny with his world series game winning performance in the clutch.
At their farewell parties, we sincerely wish them well and try to remember their deeds of greatness. Then we go home and forget about them.
Manny's singular value to the Red Sox was that he is a great slugger who can save the day. I think we will miss him before this season is over. For a little while.
The fact is (despite our hubris) most of us are quite replaceable. Each of us creates our own legacy in our work life. But regardless of our accomplishments, whether we were Airline CEO's, Hall of Fame sluggers or systems analysts, the mark we make amounts to footprints in the sand: washed away by the next tide - or even the next wave, gone and forgotten.
Like Manny, Nomar, Johnny Damon, Babe Ruth - there comes a time when We have stayed too long at the party and it is time to be moving on down the road, with the fresh opportunity to re-create ourselves on a new team. Too many cliches, you say? Well sorry, they just seemed to be appropriate.
The Red Sox suits may seem smart, letting Manny go after getting the best he had, but we felt that way about Roger Clemens too.
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